THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER SYSTEM IN NIGERIA BANKING SECTOR. [A CASE STUDY OF FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FBN]

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF   STUDY

Let us  start by  defining  what a  computer is.

A computer could be defined as an electronic  device capable of accepting data, performing ordered operations  on data and reporting on the  outcome of these operation. This electronic  tool can be used to store information’s on magnetic tapes, diskette, hard diskette, analyze it and produce information’s as required from the data on them;   in other words, it is an information-processing machine.

A computer is a very fast electronic processing machine which has high storage capacity , it can perform large repetitive and complex   calculations with utmost accuracy and at an astonishing speed. In the past, record keeping has  been  manual, mechanical and developed  through  the age of machine assisted into the present  day computer age which  we are in.

The computer performs many functions which includes input,  storage,  processing and out put functions.

The computer is an advanced technological  innovation  which has evolved as product of our modern society and a modern  tool in management.

Though the computer is a modern tool in our society, many people  approach the subject with apprehension and in certain cases develop  absolute  fear for it    for some obvious seasons.  

The computer came upon the whole world so quickly and is seen now to affect our uarious lives in  so in any different ways  and also the general lack of knowledge of this device has brought fear into the uninformed society.

The application of the computer in the Nigerian economy is a very recent phenomenon. Its functions and uses in the economic sector is also very new and has not been fully integrated into the business sector.

The banking sector on the other hand has seen the important of this device in this modern day banking system and have now started bringing in the computer into various financial services offered to its customers.

Manual keeping and processing of data/information’s of the customers is extremely slow and cannot cope with the increased sophistication of customers  demand and volume of transaction in this time.

It has been said that the motor vehicle replaced the horse not because it is more convenient but because the horse has become inefficient from the economic point of view. 

For instance the computation of information on three thousand salaried people manually involves numerous cost which includes;  personnel cost, retirement,  scheduling cost etc. but using the computer would not involve  much  cost instead it will perform the job more accurately and speedily  than a manual operation.

However   the coming of the computer as ealier  stated has  some of it’s problems  specially to the banks;  these includes personnel and finance cost. These   two  things must be in place before any bank can be computerized, personnel is very necessary for the effective running of any computer.  Computer can only  be operated by human being only .

As stated by   Charlse A. Myres my computer  can read, that is input, my computer can add, that is out put, it  can even remember  better than man. That is memory;  but  my  computer  cannot lone, that is human being;  all  this adds to the fact that trained personnel is needed for the effective running of the  compute.

In conclusion, the computer is a device that is capable of performing per-determined tasks, faster and more accurately now.     

1.2     STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS. 

Before the computerization of first banks of Nigeria Plc. There existed some    problems which includes.

1. Long queues of customers observed in first bank of Nigeria Plc were because their operations were partly manual.  

2. Assessment of information had been difficult because the systems were not fully on- line and real-time.

3. Information were not kept properly because they were in files and folders that would easily be misplaced or prone to fire etc.

4. The first bank Plc had not networked all their branches as a result the customers would   not be  able to withdraw in stations other than the ones they had account.

5. Banking service in first bank of Nigeria Plc was deployable before the full computerization of their systems. 

1.3     OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

The following are the objective of the study.

1.       To find out whether the use of computer would reduce the long queues of customers wanting to be attended to in the  banking hall  of first bank of Nigeria Plc

2. To  discover  whether the computerization of first Bank would improved the assessment of  information.

3. To investigate if the computerization would improves the quality of information storage and retriual.  

4. To examine if  the computerization of first bank of Nigeria Plc would make it possible for customers to withdraw or make transactions in branches other than the bank where they have accounts, 

5. To access whether the introduction computer would improve the services of first Bank of Nigeria Plc.

1.4     SIGNIFANCE OF THE STUDY.

Since computerization have been found to play a major role in increasing the efficiency of service in the various industries or  firms including   banking industry, the research into the impact of computerization in banking industry becomes important.

This is necessary because it would give a very good understand of what computers are, and their contribution to increase   efficiency in the banking service.

However, works on computers in business and banking in recent times have only tried to look into the development of soft-ware and hard-wares for different services, but this research is going to be looking into the impact of computer system on our banking industry  and also highlighting the problems that hindered the adequacy of computer systems in the banking industry .

The  findings of this study are expected to help banks, companies and other business enterprises to know the extent that computerization have gone into- the banking industry in Nigeria.

The findings and recommendation if fully implemented by the banks will improve their standard in the  level  of computerization and increased efficiency and generally improve bank/customer relationship.

1.5     DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY.

Study is imitated to the  first  banks of Nigeria  Plc  where actual computerization of some    of  their banking  services has been effectives.

The research would also be carried out through a case study which will be more realistic than a survey.

A case study will  be more suitable since it limits the work to a certain   bank-first bank of Nigeria Plc branch though the researcher was able to get few information from other computerized banks.

1.6.            SHORT HISTORY OF FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA  PLC (FBN) 

Banking service in  Nigeria dates as far back  as 1892, when the African banking co-operation  was established . In 1894, the banks were amalgamated  by British bank of west Africa when the later was established   in Nigeria. It is this same British bank of west Africa (BBWA) that has grovon in dimension and dynamism changing it’s organizational name relatively to such   sources of change and following government directives.  It has grown from British  bank   for Africa to standard bank of Nigeria (SBN) and is presently known as first bank of Nigeria (FBN) PLC

First bank is the oldest bank in  Nigeria. It is one of the banks in Nigeria that have introduced the use of computer into it’s banking  services. From this  one is tempted to think  sometimes that the name of the bank  symbolizes it’s chronological position in banking industry in Nigeria.

1.5

        Research  Questions.

1. is  there  the existence of computerization in first bank of Nig. Plc.
2. Had the  computerization  of  first  bank  of Nig plc improved  the  services rendered by the bank?
3. Had the computerization of first bank of Nig plc reduced the long  queues of  customers  observed  in the bank?   
4.  Had the computerization of first bank of Nig plc improved the quality of information  storage and retrieval  in the bank?   
5. had- the computerization n of  first Bank of Nig Plc made it possible for customers  to withdraw or make  transaction in  branches other than the branch  where they have accounts?