Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for degree Master of Management in Finance and Investments in Wits Business School of the University of the Witwatersrand / This research paper examines an economy with debt and discusses the mechanism through which a financial crisis may arise, taking into account the business cycle theories as advocated by amongst others; Karl Marx, Friederich Hayek, and John Keynes. It is found that there are various channels through which financial crises may arise. Secondly, this research paper investigates the mechanism through which bank credit propagates and prolongs the business cycle. The analysis of the data reveals that post the crisis, recoveries are slower in developed nations versus developing nations and that the deeper the recession, the longer it takes for a country to recover. Thirdly, this research paper determines the critical debt level at which economies will start to recover, following a period of economic fragility. Finally, recommendations which could contribute towards the mitigation of causes and/or effects of economic crisis are made. Key words: Bank Credit, Business Cycle / GR2018

M. Tech. Business Administration / In many developing countries, including South Africa, the banking sector is highly concentrated resulting in intense competition among the big four banks in South Africa (e.g. Standard Bank, Nedbank, First National Bank and Absa, and one emerging bank Capitec). In favourable economic conditions, the banking sector plays an essential role in the economic growth of the country. However, the global financial crisis of late 2007 changed the outlook for an already slowing economy, and South Africa was not immune to the impact of the global financial crisis-induced economic slowdown. The banks have been faced with increasing competition and rising costs as a result of regulatory, financial and technological innovation, entry of the foreign banks in the retail banking environment, local competitors who are introducing new and innovative product offering and the challenges of the recent financial crisis. These changes have had a dramatic impact on the performance in sales for commercial banks. Retail banking offers a comprehensive suite of products (e.g. Home Loans, Vehicle Finance, Sales and Investments and Cheques) to customers. It also provides these products through extensive branch networks. Over a period of six months, certain branches of Absa Bank have not been able to meet set targets in sales of the banking products and have caused under-performance in sales for the relevant branches. There are 47 branches in the Gauteng East Region and, among these, six branches were randomly selected under-performing branches in terms of sales targets. This research aims to determine the causes behind under-performance in these East Gauteng branches, as such information would provide management with useful information. The aim of the study is to tests the influence of employee satisfaction, service quality, and customer satisfaction on sales performance, i.e., how these variables impact on sales performance at the branch level.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Organisational Leadership)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2010. / This study proposes to investigate the extent to which personal banking consumers of community banks perceive that there is a relationship between the quality of banking services they receive and the principles that govern socially responsible practices. Specifically, the study investigates the extent to which retail banking consumers of selected two different community banks in Tshwane attribute their levels of (dis) contentment (as surrogates of perceptions) to the community banking services provided to them in the context of well known Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles

In this research customer service excellence in First National Bank in the Port Elizabeth metropole was investigated. From the industry and competitor analysis it can be concluded that banking is a highly competitive industry that is undergoing constant change because of fierce competition. The literature survey was aimed at placing the concept of service quality, excellence and customer loyalty which lead to customer retention into perspective. The concept of total quality management outlining the specific requirements of how the concept can be utilised and how a service quality programme can be implemented was discussed. The purpose of the empirical study was to test customers’ perceptions of service provided by First National Bank and to contribute with useful information to the bank studied. From these findings improvements and recommendations were suggested as a guideline for any bank to follow to improve customer service levels. The empirical study results were satisfactory and informative. The meaningful positive responses that were identified can be utilised as competitive marketing strategies by FNB. The meaningful negative concerns the bank should consider improving upon and attention should be given to the language and SBU differences outlined.

M.Comm. / The Bank under study is one of the big four banks of South Africa, is engaged in a process of transformation, more specifically the implementation of the Employment Equity Act (No.55 of 1998). The overall objective of the study was to identify the employee's perceptions of transformation in a financial institution, which will be called The Bank, for ease of reference. The study was split into two, firstly, the identification of perception held by African, Indian and Coloured (AIC) male and female managers about the implementation of transformation, more specifically, employment equity, as an integral component of transformation in South African companies. Secondly, to conduct a comparative analysis on the similarities and differences of white male and African, Indian and Coloured managers perceptions regarding the implementation of transformation, more specifically employment equity act A further objective was to obtain suggestions from the participants as to possible ways in which the Bank can deal with their specific concerns relating to transformation.

Contemporarily, one of the major business demands is to extensively understand the impact of technology on the major business strategies and practices. Technologicalship marketing, a concept investigated in this study, emanates from a symbiosis of technology and relationship marketing. Per se, a prevalent area of debate pertains to whether technology promotes or constrains relationships. Outstandingly, this study pursued the technologicalship marketing concept, a new and vital 21st century suggestion in literature (Zineldin, 2000:16). Secondly, against the scarcity of empirical studies in mass marketing environments, the study at hand focused on retail banking client relationships. Lastly, the proposed meta-construct hypothetical model is an essential relationship marketing instrument. The proposed model consists of four major relationship marketing construct categories, namely, personal contact, customer retention, customer switching and relational exchange. At the hand of these constructs, the research primarily aimed to determine the impact of technology on client relationships in e-banking with the focus of closing the gap prevalent in literature on whether technology constraints or supports relationship marketing. The study focused on retail banking client relationships of the four major commercial banks in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. A survey was conducted of a sample of 200 clients selected using the convenience sampling method. The study hypothesised that technology is resulting in more transactional than relationship marketing in retail banking by constraining social constructions, customer retention and relational exchange, whilst, promoting customer switching mobility. Through the GLM regression analysis method, findings of the study established that technology was to a larger extent supporting relationship marketing. However, it is envisaged that technology is resulting in the disappearance of human contact which is a critical aspect of relationships. Conclusively, the researcher recommended that the only plausible strategy is to endeavour to integrate the human aspect at self-service podiums e.g. mounting of staff at ATM points, which most banks have been doing.

M.Com. (International Accounting) / This minor dissertation investigates how the conflict in the classification of financial assets between IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement and IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements is being bridged in the financial statements of banks by reviewing the classification of financial assets in the statement of financial position, accounting policies and the notes to the financial statements. IAS 39 provides specific classifications for financial instruments, while IAS 1 provides a classification based on liquidity. The minor dissertation applied a quantitative content analysis of the annual financial statements of South African banks for the 2011 financial year. Companies in the sample selection were drawn from the FTSE/JSE classification of the Top 100 companies selected on their market capitalisation on 30 December 2011. Seven banks are included in the Top 100 companies. The minor dissertation found that the classification of financial assets as required in IAS 39 is not shown in the statement of financial position. The statement of financial position is based on the liquidity classification in IAS 1. In contrast, the accounting policies for financial instruments are based on the IAS 39 classification. The structure of the notes to the financial statements follows the classification in the statement of financial position. The minor dissertation further found that the conflict between the IAS 1 and IAS 39 classifications is bridged in the detail of the notes. Two methods are being used to bridge the conflict. The first method is to provide an IAS 39 reconciliation in each applicable note. In this reconciliation, the total amount of the note is allocated to an applicable IAS 39 classification. The second method is that the line items in the statement of financial position are allocated IAS 39 classifications in a table format. The table allocates the amount of individual assets and liabilities as identified in the statement of financial position in the categories required by IAS 39. Through using both Method 1 (reconciliation in each note) and Method 2 (a separate table based on the statement of financial position) the conflict between IAS 1 (liquidity classification) and IAS 39 is bridged. However, the IAS 39 classification is not directly obtainable from the primary financial statements. In the future, the study can be more comprehensively replicated in other countries and international research, as this exploratory research was only limited to seven banks in South Africa. Further research can also investigate entities other than banks to see how they bridge the conflict between IAS 1 and IAS 39. The review of the treatment of financial instruments resulted in the replacement of IAS 39 by IFRS 9 in November 2009. Future research of the new IFRS 9 classifications may assess how the conflict is being treated. In addition, further research can assess the quality of disclosure in the classification of financial assets/instruments in the financial statements of banks and other entities

Shockwaves from the 2007–2010 financial crises caused a huge economic downturn and impacted countries and market centres globally. This blemished the reputation of the banks with many blaming the global financial crisis on reckless banking and lending practices. As a result, there was an increased focus on regulatory reform. The Sub-Saharan Africa regional integration is aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and credibility of economic policies, economic performance and trade improvement. Africa embarked on global integration of economic and financial systems to reduce poverty and sustain economic growth. This research examines the adaptability and responsiveness of South African banking regulations in Sub-Saharan Africa in relation to regional economic integration. An improved understanding of this relationship provides key principles and a greater understanding for regulatory bodies and banks to enhance their management of regulatory change in emerging markets. Unstructured interviews were held in this research with banks and financial and regulatory authority members in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. The research results were inconclusive in terms of the adaptability and responsiveness of South African banking to the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa. Bank challenges were identified in terms of regulatory development, implementation and regional integration. The lack of empirical data indicated the need for quantitative research and understanding integrational factors that could be used to measure the rate of integration and adaptability. New categories were identified which need further research to gain a comprehensive understanding on the adaptability and responsiveness of South African banking to the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / Unrestricted

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management in Strategic Marketing, Johannesburg 2019 / Consumer brand identification is a concept that helps us to understand the reasons behind brands helping consumers to express their identities and find the true meaning of themselves through brands. Brands are used by consumers to construct their self-image and to fulfil self-verification needs. This study sought to test the six drivers of Consumer Brand Identification, (CBI) as identified by Stokburger-Sauer, Ratneshwar and Sen (2012) and their impact on brand loyalty. The six drivers/antecedent are; brand-self similarity, brand distinctiveness, brand prestige, brand social benefits, brand warmth and memorable brand experiences. These drivers were tested on the five South African commercial banks, namely, Standard bank, First National Bank (FNB), Amalgamated Banks of South Africa (ABSA), Capitec and Nedbank. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used. A non-probability sampling method was employed with 244 respondents dispersed throughout South Africa who completed a self-administered questionnaire. The results confirmed the influence of four of the six drivers, being brand distinctiveness, brand prestige, brand social benefits and memorable brand experiences. Further to that, it was found that brand distinctiveness has a stronger causal relationship with CBI when consumers have lower involvement in the brand’s product category. Brand social benefits had a stronger relationship with CBI when consumers have a higher involvement in the brand’s product category. CBI was found to have a positive consequence on brand loyalty which further lead to brand advocacy. The findings also revealed that FNB was the most popular bank, with ABSA being the least popular bank. From the findings, it was recommended that banks should focus on driving an emotional connection with the brand and the consumer which can be through socially lead events that make them feel like they belong and taking consumers through memorable brand experiences. Through this, brand distinctiveness can be further enhanced. / XL2019

A research report submitted In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce University of the Witwatersrand / The purpose of this study is to analyse the operational economics of Islamic banking transactions in South Africa and to understand how the economics of these transactions lead to the IFRS accounting. The study also aims to highlight the similarities and differences of accounting for these transactions using IFRS, across the different South African banks. The transactions analysed are deposit products of qard and mudaraba and financing products of murabaha, ijarah and diminishing musharaka. The study was conducted through interviews with representatives from each of the four South African banks which offer Islamic banking products. Interviews were semi-structured and allowed for interviewees to voice their perspectives increasing the validity of the interviews. The study found that the specific Shariah requirements of Islamic banking transactions are considered and included in the structure of the contracts by all four banks offering Islamic banking products. However, the economic reality of these transactions closely resembles conventional banking transactions. The study also found that all four banks account for Islamic banking transactions using IFRS but the accounting does not match the Shariah requirements of each transaction, creating a cognitive dissonance between the accounting and the contractual form of the transactions. This study is the first of its kind in South Africa. The study adds to the IASB Consultative Group discussion on accounting for Islamic banking transactions under IFRS. Key words: Conceptual Framework, diminishing musharaka, IFRS, ijarah, Islamic banking, mudaraba, murabaha, qard / MT2017