Journal of Banking and Financial Services articles

Recent articles from Journal of Banking and Financial Services

From the editor.(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... Reflecting the Institute's expanded membership, post-merger, there is significant depth and variety in the feature articles in this edition of B+FS. Articles range from banking trends in the Middle East to future payment trends, mutuality, IT portals and new health incentive services for...

Point of view: with the recent merger of the SIA and AIBF, and the changing political climate, the ISFB is reviewing its focus on key markets and public policy issues. Two important issues have been identified as the analysis of reporting season trends, and retirement incomes and the behavioural attitudes of Australians towards saving for retirement.(POLICY AND ADVOCACY)
August 1, 2005... For the first time in 25 years the Federal Government now holds the balance of power in the Senate. Although this appears, on the surface, to have altered Australia's political landscape significantly--it remains to be seen whether the Government will use its power to force legislation...

Capturing integration benefits: the Institute has expanded its range of service offerings and its professional development opportunities for members.(INSTITUTE NEWS)
August 1, 2005... Integration update The integration of the two former Institutes is moving at a rapid rate. I am delighted with the progress and the manner in which it has been made. If there is one word that encapsulates the entire process it is inclusiveness. It is ensuring that we are all on an equal...

Banking in the Middle East: while banks in the Middle East have produced outstanding profit growth in recent years, overbanking and regulatory issues will need to be addressed to enable sustained high-level returns.(INTERNATIONAL BANKING)
August 1, 2005... Strong economic activity The Middle Eastern bloc economies have experienced rapid GDP growth in the past two years spurred by higher oil prices. This, in turn, has injected significant liquidity into financial markets. This increased liquidity has led to many new construction...

How healthy is your business? To achieve sustainable gains in productivity and profitability, businesses will need to focus on maintaining and improving health, and streamlining the incentive services they offer. And, bundled health services will increasingly provide a key point of differentiation for the customers and employees of financial institutions.(PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2005... The focus of health care in Australia is shifting away from traditional indemnity health insurance towards disease prevention. With growing concern and public awareness about national obesity levels and other serious health-related problems, there is an increasing emphasis within business on...