An interval portfolio selection problem based on regret function

Recent mergers in the banking industry have often generated disappointing shareholder returns. Delays in implementing potential operating savings and realizing benefits of scale economies may be one reason these mergers have disappointing returns. Using data envelopment analysis (DEA), we analyze a 200-branch network formed in a merger of four banks. The operating efficiency of each branch is benchmarked against “best-practice” branches in the combined merged bank as well as “best practice” branches within each pre-merger bank. This analysis identified opportunities to reduce branch operating costs by 22 percent for the entire merged bank. In contrast, the cost savings opportunity is under seven percent when analyzed within each pre-merger bank.These findings suggest benchmarking across the entire merged bank to identify the best practices bank-wide can generate added savings. However, in this bank merger, these merger benefits were not realized until four years after the merger. Interviews with key players in the merged bank indicate that the bank deferred realizing these benefits because of political pressures, personnel integration issues, system integration issues, and financial components of the merger such as restructuring reserves and the purchase price. These causes suggest areas where shareholders can and should demand more rapid improvement in performance of bank mergers and areas for future corporate merger research.     

Comparative efficiency analysis of Portuguese bank branches

The advent of Internet banking and phone banking is changing the role of bank branches from a predominantly transaction-based one to a sales-oriented role. This paper reports on an assessment of the branches of a Portuguese bank in terms of their performance in their new roles in three different areas: Their efficiency in fostering the use of new transaction channels, their efficiency in increasing sales and their customer base, and their efficiency in generating profits. Service quality is also a major issue in service organisations like bank branches, and therefore we analyse the way this dimension of performance has been accounted for in the literature and take it into account in our empirical application. We have used data envelopment analysis (DEA) for the different performance assessments, but we depart from traditional DEA models in some cases. Performance comparisons on each dimension allowed us to identify benchmark bank branches and also problematic bank branches. In addition, we found positive links between operational and profit efficiency and also between transactional and operational efficiency. Service quality is positively related with operational and profit efficiency.     

Integrated bank performance assessment and management planning using hybrid minimax reference point – DEA approach

The purpose of assessing past performances and setting future targets for an organisation such as a bank branch is to find where the branch stands in comparison to its peers within the bank branch network and how to improve the efficiency of its operations relatively when compared to the best practice branches. However, future performance targets may be set arbitrarily by the head-office and thus could be unrealistic and not achievable by a branch. A hybrid minimax reference point-data envelopment analysis (HMRP-DEA) approach is investigated to incorporate the value judgements of both branch managers and head-office directors and to search for the most preferred solution (MPS) along the efficient frontier for each bank branch. The HMRP-DEA approach is composed of three minimax models, including the super-ideal point model, the ideal point model and the shortest distance model, which share the same decision and objective spaces, are different from each other only in their reference points and weighting schema, and are proven to be equivalent to the output-oriented DEA dual models. These models are examined both analytically and graphically in this paper using a case study, which provides the unprecedented insight into integrated efficiency and trade-off analyses. The HMRP-DEA approach uses DEA as an ex-post-facto evaluation tool for past performance assessment and the minimax reference point approach as an ex-ante planning tool for future performance forecasting and target setting. Thus, the HMRP-DEA approach provides an alternative means for realistic target setting and better resource allocation. It is examined by a detailed investigation into the performance analysis for the fourteen branches of an international bank in the Greater Manchester area.     

Allocative efficiency in branch banking

Bank branch efficiency and organization change is analyzed using data from 50 savings bank branches in Sweden. First, technical and allocative efficiencies are analyzed, using non-priced and priced inputs. Secondly, by grouping the branches according to their organizational designation, efficiency is examined by level of service. Trends in performance over two time periods are also analyzed.     

Linking customer satisfaction, employee appraisal, and business performance: an evaluation methodology in the banking sector

The linkage among customer satisfaction, employee evaluation, and business performance data is very important in modern business organizations. Several previous research efforts have studied this linkage, focusing mainly on the financial or business performance in order to analyze the efficiency of an organization. However, recent studies have tried to consider other important performance indicators, which are able to affect business operations and future growth (e.g., external and internal customer satisfaction). In the case of the banking industry, studying the relations among the aforementioned variables is able to give insight in the performance evaluation of bank branches and the viability analysis of the banking organization. This paper presents a real-world study for measuring the relative efficiency of a set of bank branches using a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach. In particular, a multistage DEA network model is proposed, using a set of performance indicators that combine customer satisfaction, employee evaluation, and business performance indices. The main aim of the presented study is to evaluate the relative efficiency of each customer service delivery step, in the environment of a bank branch. The results are also able to estimate the contribution of the assessed performance indicators to the branch’s overall efficiency, and to determine potential improvement actions.     

Bank branch sales evaluation using extended value efficiency analysis

This article results from our collaborative project with a Finnish bank aiming to evaluate the sales performance of bank branches. The management wishes to evaluate the branches’ ability to generate profit, which rules out the pure technical efficiency considerations. The branches operate in heterogeneous environments. We deal with the heterogeneity by subdividing the branches according to the bank specification into overlapping clusters and analyze each cluster separately. The prices of the branch outputs are hard to assess as the results from the sales efforts can only be observed with long delays. We employ benchmark units similarly as in value efficiency analysis (VEA). However, we extend VEA in two ways. First, in standard VEA the benchmark unit is assumed to yield the maximum profit among the set of feasible technologies; instead, our benchmark technology may or may not be in the feasible set. Second, we consider efficiency tests employing a benchmark with respect to both profit and return. We propose a solution strategy for these extensions. The bank uses the study to support decisions concerning new branches, changes in the operations of inefficient branches, and actions aiming to more flexible deployment of the staff.     

Cost efficiency,production and value-added models in the analysis of bank branch performance

This paper develops a framework for performance appraisal in the context of a bank branch network. A data envelopment analysis model is advocated that can identify both input and output inefficiencies from a cost minimization perspective. The model is then applied to the analysis of a bank branch network and the production and value-added approaches are deployed jointly to give a comprehensive assessment of bank branch efficiency. The sources of underperformance are identified and their managerial implications are explored.     

Commercial branch performance evaluation and results communication in a Canadian bank––a DEA application

In this paper, we focus on evaluating the performance of the commercial branches of a large Canadian bank using data envelopment analysis. Two production models are considered in this country-wide evaluation. One model, looking directly at resource usage, is most useful to the branch manager. The other model, incorporating financial results, is more geared towards senior management. We introduce non-discretionary factors to reflect specific aspects of the environment a branch is operating in, such as risk and economic growth rate of the region. Both input and output multipliers are constrained by incorporating market prices as well as managerial preferences, in order to get effectiveness measures. The cost-minimisation study led to valuable results pertaining to the performance of individual branches. Notable is the methodology introduced here that shows how to present graphical and numeric outcomes to managers. Gap maps, pie charts and target tables are produced for each branch to provide performance goals for the managers. Useful information has also been obtained at the district level. Output oriented models were analysed to reflect the Bank's recent emphasis towards growth in some areas.     

银行网点规模对理财产品市场竞争的影响

网点是银行销售理财产品的主要渠道,网点的规模不仅直接影响着银行在理财产品市场的份额和收入,还通过风险行为影响着理财产品市场的竞争策略与格局。本文以权益类理财产品为研究对象,建立了银行间基于网点的理财产品竞争模型,通过竞争均衡的比较静态分析,发现理财产品的预期收益率受不同发行主体自身网点规模的影响,网点规模小的银行倾向于采取更激进的竞争策略,提供收益率更高的理财产品,以扩展自己的生存空间,即存在收益率溢价现象。然而,小规模银行的风险行为对竞争格局的影响有限,而大规模银行的行为却影响显著,即,理财产品所投资标的资产的风险水平对竞争的影响程度也同样受制于银行的网点规模。本文的分析和结论为我国银行理财产品市场的现状特征提供了理论解释。     

Efficiency,size, benchmarks and targets for bank branches: an application of data envelopment analysis

This paper describes an application of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to the performance assessment of Portuguese bank branches. The analysis shows how DEA can complement the profitability measure currently used at the bank. The use of an efficiency-profitability matrix enabled the characterisation of the branches' performance profile. Consistent with the bank's development objectives, the analysis focused on the relation between branch size and performance. Two alternative target setting strategies were explored. One eliminates pure technical inefficiencies by focusing on the selection of appropriate benchmarks. The other attains the branches' most productive scale size through the elimination of scale inefficiencies, with minimal changes to branches' scale size.     

Evaluating the financial performance of bank branches

We evaluate the financial performance of most of the branch offices of a large European savings bank for a recent accounting period. We employ a complementary pair of nonparametric techniques to evaluate their financial performance, in terms of their ability to conserve on the expenses they incur in building their customer bases and providing customer services. We find variation in the ability of branch offices to perform this task, and agreement on the identity of the laggard branches. We then employ parametric techniques to determine that the list of indicators on which their financial performance is evaluated can be reduced without statistically significant loss of information to bank management. Both findings suggest ways in which the bank can increase the profitability of its branch network. A previous version of this paper was presented at CORE, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, where we received many helpful comments from the audience. We are grateful to three referees for their helpful comments as well.     

Profitability of a sample of Portuguese bank branches and its decomposition into technical and allocative components

The efficiency literature, both using parametric and non-parametric methods, has been focusing mainly on cost efficiency analysis rather than on profit efficiency. In for-profit organisations, however, the measurement of profit efficiency and its decomposition into technical and allocative efficiency is particularly relevant. In this paper a newly developed method is used to measure profit efficiency and to identify the sources of any shortfall in profitability (technical and/or allocative inefficiency). The method is applied to a set of Portuguese bank branches first assuming long run and then a short run profit maximisation objective. In the long run most of the scope for profit improvement of bank branches is by becoming more allocatively efficient. In the short run most of profit gain can be realised through higher technical efficiency.     

Target setting: An application to a bank branch network

In this paper we examine the performance of the target setting procedure employed by a large financial institution in Spain to evaluate the operating performance of its branch offices. We begin by evaluating the ability of the branch offices to meet the targets established by bank management. We then evaluate the targets themselves, and we find that the list of targets can be substantially reduced without significant loss or distortion of information to bank management. We then re-evaluate the performance of branch offices on the basis of a reduced set of influential targets.     

A Comparison of Data Envelopment Analysis and Artificial Neural Networks as Tools for Assessing the Efficiency of Decision Making Units

This paper is concerned with the comparison of two popular non-parametric methodologies—data envelopment analysis and artificial neural networks—as tools for assessing performance. Data envelopment analysis has been established since 1978 as a superior alternative to traditional parametric methodologies, such as regression analysis, for assessing performance. Neural networks have recently been proposed as a method for assessing performance. In this paper, we use a simulated production technology of two inputs and one output for testing the success of the two methods for assessing efficiency. The two methods are also compared on their practical use as performance measurement tools on a set of bank branches, having multiple input and output criteria. The results demonstrate that, despite their differences, both methods offer a useful range of information regarding the assessment of performance.     

Unobservable or omitted production variables in data envelopment analysis through unit-specific production trade-offs

The paper focuses upon situations in which decision-making units carry out their production activities with some inputs or outputs unobservable (or possibly omitted), and when there are a priori known constraints on the relative significance of otherwise observable (or explicitly considered) inputs and outputs. For such settings, the paper proposes a modification that alters traditional construction of the production possibility set and isolates the role of the unobservable (or omitted) variables in production by means of restrictions on virtual inputs and outputs being converted into production trade-offs. In effect, the proposed procedure induces unit-specific production possibility sets that derive from production trade-offs framed for units assessed separately to reflect their specific observed production conditions. The modification is implemented within a weighted slacks-based measure with restricted direction of slacks in order to make technical efficiency measurement more informative and consistent with the operating conditions under which production activities are accomplished. These ideas are illustrated and models implemented in a case study of bank branch performance measurement.     

双目标DEA模型及其在商业银行评价中的应用

为了解决传统DEA模型所存在的判别能力弱和不现实权重两个缺陷,本文提出了一种双目标DEA模型。该模型在相同的约束条件下,同时以最大化各自效率和最小化所有效率值差异为目标。最后,通过某商业银行分支机构效率评价实例对所提出的方法进行了演示,说明了所提出方法的优点,着重说明了该方法可以很好地解决传统DEA方法所存在的两个缺陷。     

Adding value to bank branch performance evaluation using cognitive maps and MCDA: a case study

Bank branch performance evaluation is a difficult endeavour. Some of the main reasons for this difficulty are the complexity inherent in the variety of aspects considered in the evaluation, and the multiple and conflicting interests of the different stakeholders involved. In this paper, we show how cognitive mapping and measuring attractiveness by a categorical-based evaluation technique can be used to support the evaluation of bank branches through the development of multidimensional performance evaluation systems, and to deal explicitly with the trade-offs between the different dimensions of performance and interests of different stakeholders. A case study is discussed where these techniques are used in a constructive way, making the learning activity easier and introducing transparency in the decision-making process. The strengths and weaknesses of the integrated use of these two operational research techniques in this context are also discussed.     

Distribution of cost and profit efficiency: Evidence from Indian banking

This paper uses the nonparametric DEA methodology to estimate cost and profit efficiency of Indian banks during the post-reform period. The results show considerable variation in average levels of profit efficiency across various ownership categories of banks. In general, state owned banks are found to be more efficient than their private counter parts. Further, efficiency tends to be low among the small banks (assets up to Rs. 50 billion), indicating that at the existing scale of operations, these banks are operating far below the efficient frontier. We also examine the distribution of efficiency using nonparametric kernel density estimates. The analysis reveals a rightward-shift of the efficiency distribution over the years. A major part of this shift comes from the state owned banks. Based on the conditional distribution, the study finds strong evidence of ownership explaining the efficiency differential of banks. Additionally, bank size and product-mix are also found to be important, although to a lesser extent.     

Finite time exergoeconomic performance for six endoreversible heat engine cycles: Unified description

The operation of a universal steady flow endoreversible heat engine cycle model consisting of two constant thermal-capacity heating branches, a constant thermal-capacity cooling branch and two adiabatic branches is viewed as a production process with exergy as its output. The finite time exergoeconomic performance optimization of the universal endoreversible heat engine cycle is investigated by taking profit optimization criterion as the objective. The analytical formulae for power, efficiency and profit rate function of the universal endoreversible heat engine cycle with heat resistance loss are derived. The focus of this paper is to search the compromised optimization between economics (profit) and the utilization factor (efficiency) for endoreversible cycles. Moreover, analysis and optimization of the model are carried out in order to investigate the effect of cycle process on the performance of the universal endoreversible heat engine cycle using numerical examples. The results obtained herein include the performance characteristics of six endoreversible heat engines, including Carnot, Diesel, Otto, Atkinson, Brayton and Dual cycles.     

The banking system in Sicily: A territorial analysis for planning and marketing purposes

This study has as its main object the analysis of the most important structural aspects of the Sicilian banking system such as efficiency, competition/concentration, composition of deposits and loans, in order to:

• •- evaluate if the banking system scale was suitable for the real requirements of the island;
• •- find the most efficient distribution of our bank branches according to the criteria established by the Bank of Italy with regard to the authorisation for opening new branches or moving the existing ones.

The first part of the paper is devoted to the exposition of the criteria adopted to measure the competition and efficiency levels and to the presentation of the results obtained for Sicily.The second part is devoted to the methodology that we adopted for the subdivision of Sicily in ‘banking mobility areas’ to which our analysis can usefully refer (it is well known that concepts like competition and concentration are meaningful when they refer to adequate areas). The identified areas are not dependent on the administrative division and take into account the people's habitual mobility to utilize different community and social services (the banking services in particular). At a second stage the areas were economically characterized in an attempt to evaluate the credit demand from a quantitative and qualitative point of view, where the indications derived from the first part of the analysis were not sufficient. The economic reality of the areas is described by constructing indexes and utilizing data analysis techniques.