final year project topics and materials

CHAPTER ONE

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

                        Before the emergence of modern banking system, banking operation was manually done which lead to a slow down in settlement of transactions. This manual system involves posting transactions from one ledger to another which human handles. Figures or counting of money which should be done through computers or electronic machine were computed and counted manually which were not 100% accurate thereby resulting to human errors. Most bank then use only one computer in carrying out transactions which ameliorate the sluggish nature of banking transaction.

                        Nigeria do not embrace electronic banking early compared to developed countries. Nigeria adopted electronic banking system in the early 2000s.  During the introduction of electronic banking system, the use of raw cash was said to have bred corruption through the “cash and carry syndrome” usually linked with the swift movement of Ghana-must go” bags by some politicians. Such bags as some analyst say, are a major source of corrupt practices as dubious persons seeks to bribe their way to avoid been checked in some sensitive areas or places in a corrupt society.

                        Since electronic banking started in all Nigeria banks, it has been a woe for civil servants; checks show that some staff in establishments such as the national boundary commission for instance, are yet to receive their salaries for the previous months as efforts to electrically transfer salaries into their account have failed according to Ibrahim, D. (2009).

                        “One bank will tell you it has transferred your salaries but the supposed recipient bank will tell you it has not received anything leaving you even more confused”, says John, I. (2009). Olekah, J. (2009) while acknowledging the initial hiccups that dogged the system, advises stakeholders against being discouraged as such “teething problems” are normal.

                        James, A. (2009) a banker reported to vanguard annual report that “we should not destroy electronic-banking by looking at the negative aspects, we must strive towards perfecting it”. James, A. (2009) also says that the volume of data generated by the Government ministry Agencies is much making it a bit difficult for banks to cope, Mathew S. (2009) a worker says in his report to vanguard annual report on banks and cards that government should have done its home work “very well” before introducing the system, “they plugged us into a system they were not prepared for and the result is untold hardship visited on innocent people”.

            At this juncture, is good to know what e-banking is all about.

                        According to Anyawaokoro, M. (1999). Electronic banking is defined as the application of computer technology to banking especially the payment (deposit transfer) aspects of banking. He also defined electronic banking as a system of banking with an electronic communication network which permits on-line processing of the same day credit and debit transfers of funds between member institutions of a clearing system.

                        According to Clive, W. (2007) in his Academic dictionary of banking, electronic banking is defined as a form of banking in which funds are transferred through an exchange of electronic signals between financial institutions, rather than an exchange of cash, cheques or other negotiable instruments.

                        According to Omotayo, G. (2007) defines electronic banking as a system in which funds are moved between different accounts using computerized on line/real time systems without the use of written cheques.

                        According to Edit, O. (2008) in international Journal of investment and finance, electronic banking is defined as a system by which transactions are settled electronically with the use of electronic gadgets such as ATMs, POS terminals, GSM phones, and V-cards e.t.c. handled by e-holders, bank customers, and stake holders. 

1.2       STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

                        As earlier pointed out, there is delay in payment of cheques which lead to the adoption of electronic banking system. Adoption of electronic banking which suppose to ease banking transactions rather resulted to woes to customer. Most people complain of time wasted in banks. This occurs when there is power failure in banks resulting to slow down in operation.

                        Another problem that emerged was that banks do not have information backup to fall back on should there be any computer break down.

                        In investing in electronic banking, the country will need a large amount of financial resources in computer technology, obviously, the resource is in short supply in Nigeria, couple with high level of poverty. For an efficient functioning of electronic payment system, there must be availability of infrastructural facilities such as electricity and telecommunication network, however, power supply fluctuates and there is still constant failure links in networks.

                        Since early 2000s banks have been developing and introducing payment cards for their customers as well as deploy ATM’s cards. Usage was however low due to lack of interconnectivity i.e. switching platform to interconnect the ATM’s for card holders.

1.3       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 

                        This research work intends to assess the extent of electronic payment in banking activities as well as identify the various types of electronic banking.

            The researcher will also evaluate the major problems associated with the development of electronic banking system in Nigeria as well as evaluate possible solutions to these problems.

                        The effect of electronic banking on profitability of banks will also be assessed. There are different types of electronic banking used in Nigeria banks; the researcher will like to evaluate the impact of these e-payment systems on banking industry and also assess the impact of electronic banking in Nigeria economy.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTION

                        In order to get information from respondents the following questions where formulated:

                        What are the various types of electronic payment and the extent of electronic payment in banking activities?

                        In what extent can e-banking improve or enhance banking services?

                        What are the major problems associated with the development of electronic banking system in Nigerian?

                        What are the solutions to the problems associated with the development of e-banking?

            What extent has e-payment affected banking activities?

            The research shall attempt to find answers to these questions in the next chapter.

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Electronic banking in our economy today is a welcome development and also its impacts in the society are over-whelming, so this research is significant in so many ways.

                        It will expose the strength and weakness of electronic banking.

It will motivate banks and other economic agents to computerize their services.

                        Knowledge in the area of electronic banking will be advanced.

Apart from contributing to the knowledge of electronic banking, it forms a reference for future research in this area.

1.6       SCOPE OF STUDY

This research is on economic implication of electronic banking in Nigeria banks and also the various forms of payment and electronic systems used by banks. The researcher will base this work on the entire deposit money banks in Nigeria but to Diamond Bank in particular.

1.7       LIMITATION OF STUDY

Time is a major factor to the researcher as research of this kind requires enough time in gathering of data, but it was not given to carryout the research, distribution, collection and analysis of questionnaire.

Also the school system has made it difficult for student to go out in search for information by not granting exeat for student. Some banks hud information from students who desires such information in other to maintain the banks secrecy thereby making it difficult for students to gather information for their research.

Finally, finance was infact the most limited factor, in spite of this the researcher have to travel out to the sampled organization to interview some of the managers and supervisors.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       INTRODUCTION

Electronic banking have long been recognized to play an important role in economic development on the basis of their ability to create liquidity in the economy through financial intermediation between savers and borrowers. It also offers financial services and products that accelerate settlement of transactions and in the process reduce cash intensity in the financial system, encourage banking culture, and catalyses economic growth.

However, for the effective functioning of the financial system, the payment systems must be safe and efficient; otherwise they can be a channel for the transmission of disturbances from one part of the economy or financial system to others. This is why central bank have been active in promoting sound and efficient payments system and in seeking the means to reduce risks associated with the system.

Nigeria historically operated a cash-driven economy particularly in the consumer sector, however the system has witnessed improvements over the years, and particular in recent times has moved from its rudimentary level of the early years of banking business to the current state of sophistication comparable to other economies at the same level of development.

     One important reason for financial liberalization and deregulation is the need to develop a good payment system which promotes an appropriate mechanism for efficiency in mobilizing and allocating financial resources in the economy. The payment system occupies an important place in the development of a country economy, infact the level of development of a countries payment system is a reflection of the state or condition of the countries economy.

      Nigeria payment system is paper-based and this accounts for the high level of cash in the economy (cash outside bank), the concept “payment system” has different meanings among writers the definition range from a more simple to a more complex definition.

      According to Report on the survey of developments in the e-payments and services products of banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria payment system is defined as a system which consists of net works which link members, the switches for routing message and rules and procedures for the use of its infrastructure.

     According to Anyanwaokoro M. (1999), in theory and policy of money and banking, payment system is defined as a system where settlement of financial obligations are done by the use of credit cards or even pressing some bottoms that transfer the amount in their bank to the account of another person through the computer.

According to element of banking by Orjih, J. (1999), payment system is defined as a which consists of different methods of payments which are cheques, credit cards, Bankers drafts, standing order, documentary credits swift etc for the settlement of transactions.

2.2       ELECTRONIC BANKING

It is a fact that today a good number of banks cannot use their IT (information technology) infrastructure to adequately deal with their immediate information requirements. Do such banks qualify to be called e-banks?

E-banking is about using the infrastructure of the digital age to create opportunities both local and global. E-banking enables the dramatic covering of transaction cost and the creation of new types of banking opportunities that address the barriers of time and distance. Banking opportunities are local global and immediate in E-banking

The benefit of electronic banking comprises a broad range of functions which includes;

Electronic mail (email) improves communication between individuals, external  parties and between banks. The availability of online information provides bankers and customers with a powerful vehicle for research, banks can provide information and services on line,  which customer can pay for and receive. Banking processes are made more efficient and cost effective by integrating other aspects of banking operations such as treasure management and financial control.

If banking functions does not require physical interaction it may drive the benefits of electronic banking.

WHERE SHOULD THE REAL E-BANKING BE?

First of all the bank must fully understand and appreciate the fact that the banking industry now exist,   in a global village. It must therefore strive to provide local and global banking services using the infrastructure of the global village. Most current E-banking applications use the internet, the advantages of on line banking are in providing convenience and flexibility for customers, lets take a look at some.

Online banking allows customers to get current account balances at any time. Customers do not need to wonder whether a check of has cleared or a deposite has been posted at the click of a button, customers can easily check the status of their current savings and money-market accounts through online banking. Banks can provider immediate account enquires or statements online for customers.

Online banking gives the ability to pay bills electronically, customers can also download account transactions on line, it should be easy to import the transactions directly into typical PC programs at home or office, the transfer of money between accounts is another powerful application of online banking, online banking provides flexibility by allowing the customer to assess his finances from any part of the globe.

THE INTERNET