• Embed Doc
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
THE BANK, Strategic Analysis
Executive summary
This paper is a strategic analysis of THE BANK, a community bank whose service area is theRoanoke Metropolitan Area, which is the regional center of southwest Virginia. For this purpose, both external and internal factors affecting business performance were examined, as well as THEBANK’s strategic approach in creating sustainable competitive advantages. It is discussed here if THE BANK’s actions in the marketplace, taken by its managers, affect business performance insuch a way that strengthen its competitive position and gain a competitive edge over rivals. Is thecompany sufficiently profitable to validate its business model and strategy? Does the companyseem to change its strategy over time? What is the company vision and what are its mainobjectives? All these questions are going to be answered within this paper.The strategic analysis was conducted in October-November 2008. The information used for assessments was gathered for the year 2008 (quarterly), as well as for the years ended 2005,2006, and 2007 in order to better reflect the evolution of the company.In 2008, external factors played a major role in the business’ state of work for the period for which this assessment has been done. Consequently, a good understanding of environmentaldynamics is of high importance for a comprehensible evaluation. The first part of the paper aimsto describe the economic environment, as well as the political and social aspects. Thetechnological factor is the only factor that could be considered as affecting the businessindependently of the turmoil of the other factors. The global economic downturn has createdadverse effects for businesses especially for those in the banking industry. In top of that, bankswhose loan activity has been mostly tied to real estate, as in THE BANK’s case, have beenespecially sensitive to the financial crisis. Market volatility is one important characteristic of the period. Political debates and uncertainty associated with future directions of strategies was a stateof being for 2008. Hence, taking all this into consideration, the company’s reaction is both“unusual” and appealing to be studied.
1
|
Pa g e
 
THE BANK, Strategic Analysis
In addition to the external pressure, the internal factors played their role as well. In a highlycompetitive environment, with low barriers to entry, under a continuous pressure from not onlythe large banks but from non-banking businesses that now offer substitute products, THE BANK found a strategy to maintain itself at a level of profitability. The interest income, the major contributor to the total income, shows a general upward trend; the interest margins, always under considerable pressure because of the intense competition for deposits, were found to be the keyinstrument of effectiveness. The second quarter was the most challenging, yet THE BANK remained profitable. Here are few input indicators of THE BANK strategy to success, all of themanalyzed in depth within the paper:
the management was committed to maintain a ratio of loans to funding sources at amaximum of 90%;
the capital structure has been adequate to support anticipated asset growth, as well as toserve as a cushion to absorb potential loses;
asset/liability management activities have been designed to ensure adequate liquidity tomeet loan demand or deposit outflows; nonetheless the impact of interest rate fluctuationson net interest income was closely watched;
 both, a market penetration strategy with focus on increasing market share and loyalty anda product development strategy, a good tactic to help customers to overcome theeconomic downturns;
an active presence in the community life making an in depth understanding of communityneeds possible as well as promoting a positive image;
Introduction
2
|
Pa g e
 
THE BANK, Strategic Analysis
The strategic analysis is a complete and in–depth view of the bank’s external environment, bank’s strategies, business practices and other internal factors that influence its overall performance. The first part will contain results of the external evaluation using the followingmodels: PEST Analysis, Five Forces Analysis and Competitor Analysis. The second part of thereport will present results of the internal analysis based on financial ratios, SWOT analysis,VRIO model analysis, ANSOFF matrix and lastly, an analysis of THE BANK’s management.This report will then offer suggestions and possible outcomes, all subject to further discussions.The expected outcome of this strategic analysis is a better understanding of the bank’s current position by its management and the creation of the feedback needed for future actions.
Sources of information
Data used in this study was obtained from the following sources: Companys website,Company’s financial fillings 10-K and 10-Q, and the company’s Annual Report for 2007. Other information was gathered from FDIC’s website, Yahoo Finance, Moody’s, and ValuEngine.
THE BANK at a glance
3
|
Pa g e
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...