ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research work is to investigate the impact of Information Technology (IT) on the performance of banks of Nigeria using United Bank of Africa Plc. as a study.

The objectives of this study include the following: to investigate the beneficial aspects of IT use; to investigate the problems of IT use; to determine the level of information technology acquisition to the bank. The research methodology involved using survey method. This had to the following findings that there is drastic reduction in cost for distribution and customers service, and adoption of e-commerce technology makes the bank to be able to reach customers and create more intimate relationship with all customers. Based on the findings we recommend that the bank must be able to allocate enough funds to the IT department so as to be able to meet up the continuous changes in the IT world.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1     Introduction                                                                  

1.2     Statement of the Problem                                    

1.3     Purpose of Study                                                 

1.4     Research Hypothesis                                                     

1.5     Research Questions                                                      

1.6     Methodology                                                                 

1.7     Scope and Limitation of the Study                      

1.8     Organization of the Study                                             

1.9     History of United Bank of Africa Plc           

 

CHAPTER TWO:

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW

 2.0    Introduction                                                                  

 2.1    Statement of the Problem                                    

 2.2    Information Technology Age                                

 2.3    The Nature of Information Technology       

 2.4    The Concept of Technology                                  

 2.5    Historical of Information Technology         

 2.6    Management Effectiveness                                   

 2.7    Product Innovation and Delivery                         

 2.8    Historical Development of Information Technology       

 2.9 Evaluation of Information Technology as It Relate To Baking                                                    

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0     Introduction                                                                  

3.1     Population of Study                                                      

3.2     Research Design                                                           

3.3     Sample Techniques       

3.4     Data collection Method

3.5     Data Analysis Techniques

3.6     Reliability and Validity

3.7     Limitation of the Research

 

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.0     Introduction

4.1     Respondent Characteristics and Analysis

4.2     Analysis of Data According To Research Questions

4.3     Findings 

 

CHAPTER FIVE:

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

5.3    Recommendation

         REFERENCES

         APPENDIX

         QUESTIONNAIRE

CHAPTER ONE

1.0   INTRODUCTION

Achumba (2000). Posited that Information Technology (IT) could be described as an information system mean t to provide information so as to aid planning and organization. It includes the internet, e-mail and its variant, the Electronic commerce. On the other hand, information technology has been defined as the acquisition, production and transformation, storage and transfer of data (information) by electronic means in forms such as Vocal, Pictorial, Textual and Numeric, 'So as to facilitate interaction between people and machine. It includes the applications and implications (social, economic and cultural) of these processes.

The impact of Information Technology (IT) in today's successful banks cannot be under-estimated. It plays a major role in the operation of banks in today's highly competitive banking environment by providing easy and fast means of collecting, storing, retrieving, processing, transmitting and distributing information.

Diffusion of IT has had significant effects on business activity. Computers integrated manufacturing for example, enable automated model changes on the production line as well as fully model changes on the production line as well as fully integrated design and manufacture. Resulting shortened cycle times and' the declining significance of economies of scale have led to a competitive environment that focuses on quality, customization and timelines of delivery. The IT based integration of producer­ supplier and wholesaler-retailer networks enables responsiveness to daily changes in customer demand and fundamental revolution in inventory management. Advanced telecommunication technologies have integrated international capital markets and literally created a global financial industry.

In short, it has moved economic markets and business behaviour for closer to "real time" mode than has ever existed in the past.

 

1.1          STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

(a)   The challenges facing commercial banks in the provision of quality and efficient service to their customers are quite enormous.

(b)   The fact that some of these customers are also IT resources increase the pressure on banks to take advantage of technology which will give them the competitive advantage over their competitors.

(c)   It is no longer the norm for banks to depend on their' goodwill and the size of their organization as a criteria to earn the loyalty of their customers. Efforts are therefore being continually made through the process of re­engineering and re-organization to improve services to both existing and potential customers.

Meanwhile, banks are the forefront of information Technology acquisition. Application of computers in all areas of human endeavour is no longer an issue or a possibility. What has become an issue today is how well it is driving an individual or more appropriately in an organization. The primary reasons behind this innovation in the banking industry are high speed of processing, accuracy and information integrity, on line (real-time) capability and large storage capacity. While these factors are still important, focus has shifted to the provision of quality service to the customer's location.

 

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The overall objective of this study is to assess the impact of Information Technology (IT) on the performance of banks, in Nigeria. The following specific objectives will help in fulfilling this overall objective.

(i)    To investigate the beneficial aspects of IT use, and IT role in the operations of banks

(ii)   To investigate the problems of IT use and their relationship with the performances impact of IT in banks.

(iii) To identify the types of IT products or Applications used in United Bank of Africa PIc.

(iv) To investigate the impact of various IT measures on bank performance

(v)    To determine the following:

·            The level of information technology acquisition in the bank

·            The impact of information technology on the profitability of the bank

·            The impact of information technology on service delivery

·            The impact of Information Technology on the business processes

·            To suggest appropriate machinery for the acquisition of appropriate IT for United Bank of Africa PIc.

 

1.3          RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Data will be gathered through the personal interviews and this will be analyzed manually. The under listed hypothesis will be tested and the summary of the findings will be done.

Hi:   There is a significant relationship between information technology acquisition and profitability of Bank.

Ho:  There is no significant relationship between information Technology acquisition and profitability of Bank.

Hi:   That there is necessity for information technology in banking system.

Ho:  There is no necessity for information technology in banking system.

Hi:   That the policies and objectives of the bank as regards information technology is effective.

Ho: That the policies and objectives of the bank as regards information technology is not effective.

 

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

(i)    Has the significant relationship between levels of information technology acquisition the bank's profitability? '",

(ii)   Has the significant relationship between information technology and market share, image and competition? Personal interview of some of the staff from the bank will be carried out to hear their views on the issues raised in work. The results will be subjected to statistical analysis and the necessary conclusion will be arrived back based on the result obtained.

 

1.7   HISTORY OF UNITED BANK OF AFRICA PLC

United Bank was incorporated on March 26, 1990 as a private Limited Liability Company with 100% equity ownership by Nigerian Citizens, and licensed on April 10, 1990 to carry on commercial banking.

The bank commenced business on June 12, 1990 at the Waterfront Plaza, Plot 270, Olumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on June 25, 2004. At present, its authorized capital is NIO billion as ay September 30, 2004.

United Bank Africa Plc, therefore, is a Nineteen years old commercial bank with business office located in several parts of Nigeria.

The bank is one of the largest in Nigeria. Her financial year runs from October 1 to September 30 of the subsequent year. Oceanic Bank's impressive performance over the years accounts for the' quality of its customer portfolio which includes corporate organizations, high Net-worth individuals, the Federal Government and some state governments. To enhance response time, relationship management units have been structured as follows:

·                    Corporate Bank Group (CBG)

·                    Treasury and financial institution Group (IFTG)

·                    Retail Banking Group (RBG)

·                    Public Sector Group (PSG)

 

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1.                 Information Technology (IT): Can be defined as the study or use of electronic equipment, especially computers, for storing and analyzing information.

2.                Corporate Bank Groups (CBG): It can be defined as an organization or a group of organization that is recognized by law as a single unit.

3.                 Treasure and Financial Institute Group (TFIG): It can be defined as a group that controls all the public activity e.g. a place where valuable things are stored.

4.               Retail Banking Group (RBG): These are groups that tell the public about information technology or about the business activity of the banks.

5.               Public Sector Group (PSG): These is an economy group of an organization that is owned and controlled by the government.

6.               Management Information System (MIS): There is the act of running and con trolling the organizational facts or detail about information technology.

7.               Training: can be defined as an organizational efforts designed to help the employee in the acquisition of basic skills required for carrying out specific job.

8.               Development: This is the activity undertaken to explore an employee to perform additional duties and assume higher responsibilities in the organizational hierarchy.

9.    Performances: This is an introduction or achievement considered in relation to know how successful.