This work deals with the use of NoSQL database systems in an environment of financial institutions. The work has several objectives: to characterize the types of NoSQL database systems, for selected systems to analyze their properties, their potential use in financial institutions to develop proposals case studies for their use, and one of them select and implement a demonstration of the possibilities of using this type of database system in the specific environment of financial institutions. These objectives are to be achieved by providing a description and analysis of the theoretical part, practical part in designing, choosing, implementation, verification and acceptance of one case study - based on acceptances criteria. In the thesis are the basic concepts of database systems explained first. It is explained in more detail the concept of NoSQL and related terms including causes and genesis, classification systems NoSQL in each category. The next part contains a comparison of the characteristics of relational database - relational systems and NoSQL database systems. The next chapter deals with the needs of financial institutions in the context of the use of database systems. There are also analyzed the properties of several selected NoSQL database systems . The next chapter is based on the analytical findings from previous chapters devoted to finding poten-tials lu use NoSQL database systems in an environment of financial institutions, which is the basic theme of the thesis . The penultimate chapter contains a suggestions of case studies, one of which is selected and a description of the results of its implementation are described in the last chapter . The main contribution of this work is a contribution to the theory of NoSQL systems and the possibili-ty of their use by financial institutions, which take into account when choosing a database system, or a combination of database systems, in practical terms can lead not only to increase the efficiency of their use, but also to optimize the acquisition and operational the costs of such systems.

The diploma thesis is dedicated to the valuation of commercial banks. The work is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter deals with the specifics of commercial banks for valuation purposes. The second chapter is devoted to describing different valuation methods. The third chapter analyzes the characteristics of the selected bank. The fourth chapter deals with financial analysis and strategic analysis, and financial plan of the bank in other chapters. The last chapter is the heart of the work, where the selected bank is being valuated. The conclusion summarizes the issue.

The human resources department of a financial institution implemented a multi-component intervention to replace a paper-based hiring system. Organization-wide impacts included changes in the background check operations. To support changes, training was conducted and procedure manuals distributed. Turn time for background checks decreased, but a combination of factors may be responsible. Other metrics are either inconclusive or suggest a confounding variable, yet quality of work did not suffer was maintained. Desired system use was achieved, accompanied by improvements in time-to-fill, voluntary turnover, and quality of applicants. Considerations for analysis and challenges faced are discussed, along with suggestions for further clarification and improvements.

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / South Africa

This project examines the Southern California and Inland Empire banking environment during the period from 1992 to 1997. It includes an analysis of Washington Mutual's market strategy, and financial strategy for entering this fiercely competitive environment. Washington Mutual's competitive advantages and weaknesses will be analyzed to understand its approach to capturing strong market presence.

Customer experience has become more difficult for companies to control with the expanding number of touch points that the companies must be aware off. One of the major reasons behind the expanding number of touch points has been digitalization. The financial sector is not excluded from this change. With the digitalization continuously improving and new financial technology (fintech) being developed, things might have changed. For example, bank offices and employees have been viewed as important in earlier studies, but has this changed? What is important and affects the customer experience in the Swedish financial sector today? The purpose of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of which factors of banking services are considered important by customers today and whether there has been a shift since earlier studies. Thereby, we seek to establish what impacts the customer experience in financial institutions today. To find the answer to the purpose, a qualitative and quantitative study were conducted. The results of the full study show that employees are, as earlier studies have shown, still considered important when conducting a bank errand. However, in what context the employees are important seems to have changed. The results show that the quality that is delivered by the staff is important, while in earlier studies the relational aspect has been more important. Furthermore, the results show that bank offices are no longer considered important for the customer experience. Therefore, a shift can be identified. The study also show that it is important for the customer experience that the banks offer different channels for the customers to reach the bank. Furthermore, having the option to choose whether to resolve the bank errand on your own or obtain help from the bank is important for the customer experience. These two aspects are connected to the digital development of the industry. The results of the earlier research, referred to in this study, has not found these two aspects important. Our study therefore shows a significant shift, compared to earlier studies, in what customers consider important in contact with financial institutions.

Businesses, governments and communities are increasingly interested in measuring the non-financial impacts of their activities and investments. This assessment often takes the form of measurement models that utilize a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, namely looking at the areas ofthe environment, the economy, and the social simultaneously. Despite its many accounting flaws, more and more organizations adopt this philosophy by applying it literally in the form of impact reports. In this framework, the social dimension is the most challenging to measure. Because of its complexities, this aspect of TBL reporting has often been vague and lack rigor. The research question I am addressing is: what facilitates or inhibits the uptake and use of meaningful social bottom line reporting? From conducting case studies that include document analyses and in-depth open-ended interviews with key decision-makers of organizations in the Community Development Financial Institution industry (CDFI), I examined how and why these organizations effectively measure their social and community impact. Given that there are inherent flaws with the logic of the social dimension of Triple Bottom Line reporting but organizations nevertheless are using it, this study looked in-depth at Community Development Financial Institutions that utilize various measurement methods to assess their particular impact on the social dimension of communities. The struggles, experiences, processes and content of social bottom line reporting by CDFls revealed that their uptake and use is facilitated by being mission driven, having a compatible business model, and by demands from their stakeholders, funders, and regulation requirements. It is hindered by a lack of sufficient capacity, unclear social bottom line definitions, and a lack of embedded ness in their day to day operations.

Right now, we are living through a pivotal age, having minimal time left to resolve one of the most pressing challenges of today – biodiversity loss. Due to various direct and indirect risks arising for financial institutions (FIs) from biodiversity degradation, FIs should have legitimate interests in how business partners engage with and report on biodiversity. However, insights into how biodi-versity loss could destabilise the financial system fall behind climate change consciousness. Moreover, the scientific literature is scattered, and corporate reporting often focuses on the broad topic of the environment instead of biodiversity specifically. Nonetheless, moving up biodiversity on the agenda, FIs would be capable of redirecting investments, nudging development, and be-coming co-agents of change. This master thesis aims to systematically review existing literature and investigate current reporting practices, addressing the two research questions: (1) “How can the financial sector contribute to limiting biodiversity loss?”, by applying literature review and (2) 'What is the extent of biodiversity reporting of financial institutions across Europe to halt biodiversity loss?” by conducting content analysis. Focusing on Europe, where living standards caused signifi-cant biodiversity loss within and across its boundaries, selected high-revenue FIs serve as a case study for content analysing sustainability reporting on topics of biodiversity. The thesis shall over-lay the insights from reviewing literature and practical implementations within the reporting to carve out advice for practitioners and academia. Consequently, this thesis presents how FIs can raise awareness of biodiversity to limit its loss and how overall biodiversity influences the finance system.:Backround Research Question & Method 1 Research Question & Method 2 Results - Literature Review Results - Content Analysis Diskussion - Call for Action

No / Three interrelated factors make Sierra Leone in general and its extractive sector in particular worthy of examination. First, since the formal declaration of peace in 2002 the country has emerged as a model of liberal peacebuilding.1 The UN deployed one of its largest ever peacekeeping operations at a total cost of $2.8 billion.2 Official development assistance to Sierra Leone (multilateral, bilateral and UN agencies) amounted to US$1.2 billion between 2003 and 2006 (DACO, 2006: 7) and in 2006 the country’s $1.6 billion debt was forgiven (ICG, 2007: 8). In 2007 the country experienced its second successful post-conflict national election resulting in a transition of power to the opposition All People’s Congress.

Yes / The relationship between banks and society in UK remains fragile more than 10 years after the financial crisis. The level of public mistrust, though lower than in the aftermath of the crisis, still re-mains at unsatisfactory levels especially as scandals continue to plague the sector. This raises the question of the effectiveness of reforms adopted in UK during the past 10 years to improve the public oversight of banks and change their culture. The reforms resulted in a significant expansion of the scope of financial regulation through the adoption of large numbers of new rules with binding effect on banks. In addition, new supervisory bodies were created to more closely monitor bank activities. This paper reviews the effects of the reforms on bank culture and concludes that expanded regulation and compulsory norms brought about mixed results and had only moderate effect on re-pairing the relationship between banks and UK society. The paper argues that more significant cultural change could come only from the banks themselves and therefore, going forward, the scope of compulsory norms should be reduced. The paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue between industry experts, policy makers and lawyers about the optimum levels of financial regulation especially in light of recent calls for rolling back parts of public interventions in the financial sector.