EFFECT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN BANKING

EFFECT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN BANKING (A STUDY OF UNION BANK PLC, IKOT EKPENE BRANCH) 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study

Today’s business environment is very dynamic and undergoes a change as a result of technology. Innovation has increased awareness and demand from customers. Business organizations especially first century banking sectors operated complex environment characterized by those changing condition and highly unpredicted economy.

The banking sector that provides financial services to individuals, organizations, institution, etc has been totally revolutionized by the impact or effect of information and communication technology in virtually all areas of its operations. Many years ago, a lot of tasks were carried out manually. These includes: preparation of cash books, journals, general ledgers, final accounts and reports. This however accounted to greater extent of long delays in providing financial services to customers – long queue experienced in banking halls, long turnaround time in meeting customers’ – equest like cheque books, equisition, raising draft processing of loan request, withdrawal/deposit of cash, trade payment, etc.

But today, the story has changed significantly due to the effect of information and communication technology. Unlike before where you have many paying and receiving tellers in the banking halls but you have fewer tellers nowadays and Automated Teller Machine (ATM machine) in many strategic locations both within and outside bank premises.

Today, many banks have e-branches and automated teller (ATM) galleries with highly reduced human activities. Loan processing has equally improved and  approvals can be obtained from various approving authorities via computer system.

However, information and communication technology (ICT) has continued to change the way banking and their cooperate relationship are organized worldwide and exchange the speed and  quality delivery. Ezeamama, F. (2009:47) reported that information and communication technology refers to the various ways that enhance the creation storage, processing communication and dissemination of information. It involves different  infrastructure used in these processes, their applications and numerous service s.

In 2011 Fiscal report, the banks reported that, the department made steady progress on its strategy to effectively transit the used of information and technology as to meet the radical changing trend around the world.

The volume and the speed of reading transaction have improved tremendously as a result of the growth in information and communication technology which has created a lot of business opportunities. Application of information and communication technology is capable of enhancing optimal performance in service delivery if appropriately carried out.

Utilization of  facilities may be achieved of the design is done base on clear understanding of how information and communication technology can be applied for performance in banking. Various computerization activates going on in the banking which have been accredited to the used of information and communication technology in running activities in the bank.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

It is generally accepted that one of the major problems that are hindering efficiency of union banks in most developing countries like Nigeria is the absence of effective means of gathering and disseminating information.

Sometimes, such information is in bits and never identified and collected together under one pool. The scattered information would be hard to access even for journalist without effective and sufficient knowledge and usage of computer.