THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON BANKING OPERATIONS IN FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.0    INTRODUCTION

In recent times, Information Technology (IT), which basically involves the use of electronic gadgets especially computers for storing, analyzing and distributing data, is having a dramatic influence on almost all aspects of individual lives and that of the national economy- the banking sector inclusive. The increasing use of IT has allowed for integration of different economic units in a spectacular way. This phenomenon is not only applicable to Nigeria but other economies of the world, though the level of their usage may differ. In Nigeria, IT usage especially in the banking sector, has considerably improved, even though it may not been as high as those observed for advanced countries (Adeoti, 2005; Adeyemi, 2006).

The use of IT in the banking sector became of interest to this study due to the significant role it plays in the economy. It helps in stimulating economic growth by directing funds to economic agents that need them for productive activities. This function is very vital for any economy that intends to experience meaningful growth because it makes arrangements that bring borrowers and lenders of financial resource together and more efficiently too than if they had to relate directly with one another (Adam, 1998; Ojo, 2007). In essence, the banking sector acts as a bridge that connects lenders and investors in the economy. Hence, the need for reforms in the Central Bank of Nigeria-CBN.

The banking industry is one of the critical sectors of the economy whose contribution to the pace of development and economic growth cannot be fully quantified. Changes in today's modern world reveal that the preponderance of natural factors cannot equip the banking sector fully to grapple with the exigencies of global completion. According to Hanna (1994), information, flexibility and fast response are the key new factors for coping with global competition and information communication technology plays a critical role in these areas for the purposes of quality enhancement. Antholt (1993) has declared that information is just as important as a production factor like land, labor and capital.

The significance of IT in today's successfully organisation cannot be underestimated. It plays a major role in the success of the organisation in highly competitive world by providing easy and fast means of collecting, storing, retrieving, processing transmitting and distributing information. There can be various others factors that determine the success of a firm, and a firm may use various strategies to pursue the path of success. However, fast and easy access of information through the use of IT is very important to the firm because, it influences all other success factors, and the competitive strategies cannot be practically implemented without its support. Therefore, no business firm that minimizes the use of IT can attain the topmost position in its business. This is quite much true in the case of financial institutions, which include commercial banks. Hence, commercial banks are highly information intensive and the use of IT by them for easy and fast means of information collection, storage, retrieval, processing, transmission and distribution of information, should have extensive contribution to their performance.

The evolution and recent developments in information and communication technology has come to shape the way organisations operate and do business. The emergence .of the World Wide Web (internet) and mobile telephony i.e. telecommunication system is the driving force behind this development. Consequently, manual and traditional forms of doing business are becoming things of the past as they give way to the sophisticated technology that is based on automation and interconnection of computers and other electronic devices vide electronic communication. For instance, ledger books, paper invoice, printed materials and business trips are being replaced with online billing and payments, elaborate website with product information and real-time teleconferencing across

continent and time zones.

Information technology has radically changed how banking is done all over the world, the volume and speed of banking transaction has improved tremendously as a result of quantum growth in information technology which has created business opportunities for banks. The positive impact of information technology IT on the global criteria, especially improved revenue corroborates with the findings of Laudon & Laudon, (1991) that studied the entire cash flow of most fortune 500 companies and linked their success to Information System. They concluded that Information Technology directly affects how managers decide, how they plan and what products and services are to be produced.

Information Technology (IT) is the automation of processes, controls, and information production using computers, telecommunications, software and ancillary equipment such as automated teller machine and debit cards. It is a term that generally covers the harnessing of electronic technology for the information needs of a business at all levels.

Since 1980s, Nigeria banks have performed better in their investment profile and use of ICT systems, than the rest of industrial sector of the economy. An analysis of the study carried out by African Development Consulting Group Ltd. (ADCG) on IT diffusion in Nigeria shows that banks have invested more IT personnel, more installed base for Personal Computers (PCs), LANs and WANs and a better linkage to the Internet than other sectors of the Nigerian economy. The study, however pointed out that whilst most of the banks in the west and other parts of the world have at least one PC per staff, Nigeria banks are lagging seriously behind, with only a PC per capital ratio of 0.8, Woherem (2000).

Information and communication technology (ICT) is the modern handling of information by electronic means which involves access to storage of, processing, transportation or transfer and delivery (Ige, 1995). It refers to the convergence of the computer and telecommunication system in a seamless flow of information around the world. The fusion of computer and telecommunication and their uses in obtaining relevant and purposeful management information system is the main thrust of information technology. It is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a micro-electronic based combination of computing and telecommunications. The focus of ICT is on telecommunication and computerization. It implies the convergence of computing and communication (Telecommunication) technologies and its uses or application for global Internet, Intranet, Extranet, World Wide Web (WWW), Visual reality, Cyberspace-the New Digital Mentality and Culture (Uwaje, 2000). Communication Technology comprises the physical devices and software that link (connect) various computer hardware components and transfer data from one physical location to another. Connectivity has facilitated the use of electronic delivery channels. Distances and geographical locations are no longer barriers to financial transactions.

Full online, real-time capabilities have revolutionized electronic transfer of funds. Electronic fund transfer (EFT) is an electronic oriented payment mechanism. It allows customers accounts to be credited electronically within 24 hours (Ugwu, et al., 1999). Mark (1975) classified the basic elements of EFT system into three:

clearing network characteristics, remote service or point of sale characteristics and pre-authorized debit and/or credit characteristics.

Electronic fund transfer has also been various designed to ease international transfer of money. In 1977, the international payment system known as SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Inter-bank Financial Telecommunication) became operational. SWIFT enables user banks to use electronic mode to transfer international payments, statements and other banking messages. In Nigeria, First Bank's' Western Union, Monogram of United Bank for Africa (UBA) among others performs international funds transactions.

Information technology is the term which generally covers the use of electronic technology for the information needs of a business at all levels. It has made it possible for banks to:

1.       Improve in service delivery with the availability of online, real-time transactions.

2.       Funds transfer will be faster, more accurate and cheaper in charges.

3.       Capacity to process large volume of transactions which will require lower administrative cost.

4.       Reduction of cash transactions with long term prospects of minimal cash handling.

Information technology application by bank is centered on customer's service. Banks now respond to customers for balance on their account, statement of account and account activity enquiries.  The work of front office teller (cashier) is at minimal (ATM) Banks are able to serve customers outside the banking hall 24 hours on daily basis. Merchant customers are able to make local and international business transactions online, they allow online payment via online, telephone or mobile payment medium (Interswitch, etranzact etc), with this payment switch, the merchant account holder's customers can make payment for goods and service without necessarily seeing the business merchant in person.

Competition has become stiff; banks now do many things in different ways. Bank that has concentrated its activities in the old media can invest in the new media by recognizing its activities especially if it finds out, albeit painfully that it is losing ground to those competitors utilizing sophisticated technology.

According to Odubanjo (2000), Nigeria banks are responsible albeit at a snail speed to the information technology revolution enveloping the universe. The deregulation of the banking sector in Nigeria in 1986 brought far-reaching transformation through computerization and improved bank service delivery. The watershed in the computerization of the Nigerian financial sector started with the changing policy environment enumerated with Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) 1986.

1.1    STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The advent of information technology in the operations of the commercial banks in Nigeria among other sectors has brought about several noticeable developments but at the same time, it brings about its attendant problems. The paradox behind the information technology productively makes many managers to believe that the huge investment does not commensurate with increase in productivity.

Given the high level of financial stakes involved, the investigation of the impact of information technology on organizational and employee performance has been and continues to be a major research concern for both academics and practitioners.

1.2    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The questions this research work intends to answer are as follows: -

1.       How has information technology aid banking operations?

2.       Why are banks unable to strictly comply with the mission statement/corporate mission? With information technology, some banks management does not adequately

plan to meet the services quality. For example, the required number of customers to be attended to by a cashier within the daily working hours to guide against long queues is neglected - this causes delay in service delivery time leading to long queues in the banking hall.

3.       Why is high incident of bank fraud borne out of information technology? This' fraud ranges from ATM card fraud, internet banking fraud, email and text message fraud, fund transfer to untraceable offshore accounts, among others.