Start of Largest European Study on Strategic Planning in Retail Banking

RUESSELSHEIM, Germany, November 17 - Today is the start of the largest European study on the current status of
strategic planning in retail banking. This is the first study on this subject
in the aftermath of the financial crisis. The questionnaire can be accessed
via the designated website www.bankstrategy.eu. It is open for all
financial services organizations with retail activities in Great Britain,
France, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland and Hungary until January 25,
2010.

Objective of the study is the identification of best practice approaches
for strategic planning in retail banking. Oliver Recklies supervises the
study in the course of his doctoral theses at the Institute of Organization
and Management in Industry (ORGMASZ). He states: 'The focus is on the
identification of the optimal conditions and most effective management tools
for strategic planning.' Due to the effects of the financial crisis, topics
like trust management and sustainability management as part of strategic
planning are also covered.

The study is tailored to the specific characteristics of retail banking.
One focus thereby is on organization of and instruments used in strategic
planning. Another part of the study analyses if and to what extent the
banking practice shows improvement opportunities.

As a token of gratitude all participants can obtain the central result
report, an individual benchmarking report or on request a presentation of the
results free of charge. 'This information enables participating banks to
compare their own strategic processes with their industry and to derive
improvement opportunities' Oliver Recklies summarizes the two key advantages
for the participants. According to his assessment, more recent data on
strategic planning in this particular industry are not available to this
extent.

Further information on the background of this research project is
available on the website www.bankstrategy.eu.

    Contact: Oliver Recklies
    Tel.: +49-6142-798579
    Mobile: +49-1728907679
    research@bankstrategy.eu
    Bernhard-Adelung-Strasse 20
    65428 Ruesselsheim
    Germany
    www.bankstrategy.eu

Contact: Oliver Recklies, Tel.: +49-6142-798579, Mobile: +49-1728907679, research at bankstrategy.eu, Bernhard-Adelung-Strasse 20, 65428 Ruesselsheim, Germany