Customer Reviews

The Bank Director's Handbook: The Board Member's Guide to Banking & Bank Management (Bankline Publication)

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One of the best summaries of the main marketing and economic forces shaping banks: how banks can find competitive advantage, price products, measure their performance, segment their markets, create barriers to imitation, manage risk. For NON-banking professionals (lawyers, consultants, PR execs, etc.) who need a quick intro to the banking profession.

Benton Gup gives a very thorough overview of the role of a bank board member and the importance of understanding the major elements that make up a modern financial institution.

It is important to note that this is a starter book; if you are currently a bank board member, or contemplating becoming one, you should understand that this book will spur you to further study on major subjects in other books and formats.

One imortant thing to keep in mind is that this book was written over 10 years ago, so many of the current inustry issues and trends won't be addressed.

This book is useful for the complete layperson who somehow finds him/herself sitting on a bank board, which would be somewhat unusual. However, the appendices have solid information related to problem loans, and give sample lending policies. Also, the bank described well the interaction of the various parties at a bank; the auditors, examiners, etc.

This is an extremely valuable reference not onlyfor bank directors but also for anyone in banking. It becomes even more valuable at a time when we are reeling from the effects of a global financial crisis.

I purchased this book as a good primer for entering banking (specifically IndyMac Bank). When I joined retail banking (previously only having worked in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley) I was able to expand my knowledge on various areas of the retail banking beyond just what I-Banking had taught (e.g.,, valuation, SEC II & SEC III stat techniques, tax implications and flippying and insider trading tips of how to find/negotiate the best properties).

I would highly recommend this book to others in this field.

- Jameson Thottam