NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON PROFITABILITY IN BANKING INDUSTRY

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

          INTRODUCTION

Banking Industry has to be good at developing new products. It must also manage them in the face of changing tastes, technologies, Interest rates, exchange rate and competitions. Every product seems to go through a life cycle. It must go through several phases, and eventually die as new products that better serve consumer needs came along. The product life cycle presents two major challenges, First, because all products eventually decline, the bank must find new products to replace the declining one (The problem of new product development).

Secondly, the bank must understand how its product age adapts its marketing strategies as product pass through life cycle. (the problem of product life cycle stages) Hence, it is very important to look at the problem of finding and developing new products, and them at the problem of managing them successfully over their life cycles in the banking industry and as well as its profitability.

Given  the rapid changes in consumer states, and competition, banks must develop a steady stream of new products and services. As a matter of fact, bank can obtain new products in two ways, one is through “Acquisition” that is buying a whole distress bank(s) a license to offer other bank services. And secondly through “New Product development in the banks own research and development department.

As the cost of developing and introducing major new products have claimed, many large banks limited. First bank, Union bank, and United bank for Africa, have acquired existing services rather than creating new ones like these new generation banks, i.e. Intercontinental bank, Trust bank, All State Trust bank, Ecobank, Guaranty Trust bank, Zenith Bank and of course the case study of this research project that is Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc. Kaduna. Though, other banks have saved money by coping competitors’ mode of services.

However, new product implies original products improvements, products (services) modification and new method of granting loans, Financing, customers advice interest rate, mode of payment etc. that the bank developed through its own research and development.

Importantly, the recent distress syndrome in compared with the global technological and, economic changes has made the Nigerian bankingenvironment very competitive and dynamic.

The development has led to selective purchase or patronage of product and services by customers, especially those that are still skeptical about the longevity of the banks and viability of their product. In this regard, marketing as an essential elements of communication mix has becomes the sought after strategy not only to already existing clients but also to non-potential one by any enterprising bank in the country today when a promising idea come alongZenith Bank Nigeria Plc a venture team made up  of the research who develop the idea and other people from personnel, sales/marketing, legal admin and foreign department or sections will team up to natures of the products, protect and member stays with such product until its has succeeded.

However, quality banking services is one of the marketers major positioning tools. Quality has two dimensions level and constituency. In developing new product, the bank must first choose a quality level in the target means, market.

However, any bank that fails to introduce and maintain new products as the world changes may have itself  to blame as regards loose of customers, fame or it position in the community of financial industry and consequently may be liquidated or distress.

Hence introduction of new products is the strength of the  bank and the ability to maintain itat the given profit is the success of the bank.

1.0    HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF ZENITH BANKPLC KADUNA

Zenith Bank Limited was incorporated as a Private Limited Liability Company in November, 1982. It was granted Banking License on 7th march, 1983 and commenced operation on 16th May of  the same year.

OWNERSHIP

The stakeholder ratio is 40 percent to Zenith Bank Nig. Plc, Pakistan and 60 percent to Nigerians. In 1985 however and in compliance with the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Act of 1977 the Nigerian Partners of the Venture relinquished 10 percent of their shares to Nigerian Employees for acquisition under the Staff Equity Participation Scheme.

OBJECTIVES

       The objectives of the venture have been to: introduce and maintain a banking style with a difference in Nigeria and develop a sound bank with a branch network in all the States of the federation and the capital territory, Abuja.

       Provide financial and technical assistance to the public and private sector organizations within the framework of government of Nigeria’s plan and policies

       Mobilize deposits by encouraging savings through the introduction of effective banking services and effective advertising programme.

With these at the background, Zenith Nigeria Bank Limited went into a full range of retail banking services tailored to the needs of all categories of customers, emphasizing services and professionalism with a difference.

The tremendous transformation in the Nigeria banking landscape was made when Professor Charles Soludo made a pronouncement (on 6th July, 2004) on the issue of re-capitalizing the banking financial base from N2 billion to a minimum of N25 billion, which should be complied with by 31st December, 2005. This has drawn different views. As expressed by Anameje (2004).

The name was coined from he merger between Platinum Bank and Zenith Nigeria bank Ltd in October 2005 due to the transformation in banking industry made Platinum Bank and Zenith Bank to sign an agreement to merge their businesses and coalesce into a formidable institution that will be in the fore front of banking post consolidation. The name was changed to Zenith Bank Plc.

1.1    STATEMENT OF GENERAL PROBLEM

Marketing is said to be applicable to allspheres of life, for this fact, the banking industry is not an exemption. For the achievement of the overall corporate objectives of prosperity, growth and contisciously structure their services in such a that they cater for the financial needs of not only the current customers but also the prospective customers.

It is a fact that comprises irrespective of where they are located, hat product or service they offer, who their shareholders are et face one problem or the other.

Under new condition of  competition, companies or banks that do not produce or develop new products or services risk much because of the changing consumer needs and tastes, shortened product life cycle, increased competition and new technologies etc.

Banks and other financial institutions under the prevalent economic environment would have to be efficient in order to survive. High cost of funds as a result of liquidity squeeze and deregulation of interest rates complete with the unstable exchange value of the naira may have a dampening effect on banking operation.

Faced with this situation banks have to compete more aggressively with one another to get a better market share have good business volume. Banks now realize that the good old days of the “seller market” which they have enjoyed during the oil boom period and the days of free fund from importers known as cash cover are all over.

This imply hat the era of an chair banking and cheap profits was over, leaving behind a new era of trial and turbulence where the  survival of even the most seemingly solid banks was being threatened.

For a bank to remain in business, more especially in this  high tech driven industry and s competition and the degree of uncertainly increase, it has to among other things, create an image and reputation to differentiate itself from others. Banks would have toanalyse markets, consumers trends and competitive activities and deliberately fashion out strategies and integrate their marketing efforts to the needs of target market in order to achieve corporate goals and objectives. This could only be achieved through aggressive marketing of their services and by the development of new products.

couple with high level of innovations in the banking sector can cause a threat to the industry. These indirect manifest to discipline and turn to obsolete banking system.

The introduction of new product by the bank has led to a global competition in the industry. This is as a result of this, it makes the developing nation banking system to be developed nations where internet/electronic banking is the order of the day.

A situation whereby bank lack clearly thoughout policies, rewards and remuneration to help its staff and maintain it’s goal and loyal customers over a long time period. This slow and cumbersome relationship will not assist or sustain new product when introduced into its market. Thus political appointment also hamper the ability of the bank to introduce the right product at the right time to the right people, in that, they considered political friends in granting loans facilities to the genuine investors of the economic sectors. Not until of recent when Zenith Bank Nig. Plc. Emulate of recent when Zenith Bank evaluates in new product, development. It was classed to be one of the banks to be distressed in the early 90s. But these associated lack of marketing departments, research and development, lack of able and qualified.

1.3    OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to examine new product development and its impact on profitability in banks with reference to Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc. Kaduna branch.

The study specifically attempts to achieve the following:

1. To find out the new product development process in Zenith Bank.
2. To examine the problems associated with new product development in commercial banks.
3. To identify the strategies used by the Zenith Bank to overcome  the problems of new product Development.
4. To find out the impact of new product development on the profitability of banks.
5. To provide suggestion and recommendations for the improvementof the operations of  commercial banks.
   1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this study cannot be overemphasized, because of the benefits. This research work serves as a pre-requisites for the  award of Higher National Diploma in Business Administration.

It will be of benefit to Zenith Bank as it provides suggestions and recommendations for the improvement of marketing of financial products so as to increase their profitability.

The research work will be a source of information or materials to students and future researchers willing to further study on the subject matter.

1.4    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the process of new product developed used by Zenith Bank.
2. What are the problems associated with new product development in commercial banks.
3. What are the strategies used by Zenith Bank to overcome the problems of new product development
4. What is the impact of new product development the profitability of bank.
5. What are the suggestions and recommendations necessary for the improvement of the operations of commercial banks.

1.5    STATEMENT OF HYPOTHESIS

The following hypothesis is (null and Alternative) are presented for this study.

Ho:    (Null Hypothesis): New Product Development in Zenith Bank has not significantly increased the profitability of the bank.

Hi:     (Alternative Hypothesis): New Product Development in Zenith Bank has significantly increased its profitability.

The introduction of new product by the bank has led to a global competition in the industry. This is as a result of this, it makes the developing nation banking system to be developed nations where internet/electronic banking is the order of the day.

1. 1. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This research work is undertaken to cover new poduct development in Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc., considering constraints of time a scope beyond this might produce something less than satisfactory. This scope is therefore, limited to the banking industries marketing operations with particular reference to Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc. The degree to which they take into account marketing strategies in proper marketing of their product or services. Also all other area related to the actual function of marketing will be studied for the purpose of knowing the extent of their relatedness.

During this research work, the researcher was confronted with a lot of constraints and the most pronounced among them are the following:

1. Time Constraints: Academic work’ (especially the semesters system) during the period of this exercise could only allow limited time space for this research work that requires a lot of consultations.
2. Secondly, is the financial constraints, the present economic hardship has limited the movement of the researcher for this purpose purchase of writing materials and the production of vital documented evidences for clarity of expression. And unstable power supplies also pose problemsduring this production.
3. Problems of busy schedules, rescheduling of booked appointments, receiving of phone calls and  scheduled meetingetc.
4. Guidelines governing the writing of project also limit the presentation of the works to an acceptable format and volume.
5. Facts and vital information regarded as “secret” are been “hoarded” were not released to the researcher.

1. 1. DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terminologies that appear in this study are defined below:

1. 1. Marketing: The total system of business activities designed to plan, price, promote and distribute want satisfying goods and services to present and potential consumers.
   2. New Product: A good service or idea that is perceived by some potential customer as new.
   3. New Product Development:  The development of original products, product improvement, product modification and new brands through the firms own research and development efforts.
   4. Product: Anything that can be offered to a market for attention, acquisition, use or consumption that might satisfy a want or need. It includes physical objects, services, person, place, organization, and ideas.
   5. Respondents: Person who answer or responded to a question in a questionnaires or an observation unit on which such observations are measured of attributes can be made.
   6. Profitability: The degree to which income exceeds cost and expenditure.
   7. Bank: A commercial bank that provides checking account plus other traditional banking services.
   8. Questionnaire: a formalized schedule to obtain and record special and relevant information with tolerable accuracy and precision.
   9. Advertising: Any paid form of no personal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods or services by an identified sponsor.
   10. Marketing Research: Is a systematic way of recording, analyzing, and implementing of problems that relates to marketing activities and prefer solution.
   11. Marketing segmentation: Dividing a market into district groups buyers with different needs, characteristics, or behaviour who might require separate products or marketing mixes.
   12. Customer Satisfaction: The extent to which a products perceived performance matches a buyers expectations. If the products performance falls short of expectation, the buyer is dissatisfied. If performance matches or exceeds expectation, the buyer is satisfied or delighted.
   13. Product Life Cycle (PLC): the course of a product sales and Profits over its life time it involves time districts stages, production development, introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.
   14. Innovation: This is an idea product, or prices of technology that has been developed and marketed to customers who perceive it as novel or new.
   15. Offer: Boundless of utilities present for acceptance.
   16. Distress: when the bank is out of operations.
   17. Marketing Information system(MIS): People equipment, and procedures to gather, sort, analysis, evaluate, and distribute needed, timely and accurate information to marketing decision makers.