“Underground banking” and Myanmar’s changing hundi system

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Value Transfer ◽  
Development Professionals ◽  
Financing Of Terrorism ◽  
Informal Value Transfer System ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine Myanmar’s “hundi” system, an informal value transfer system used widely by local Myanmar citizens and offshore migrant workers to remit money domestically and internationally. Due to historically stringent banking and foreign exchange controls and a lack of domestic and internationally linked financial services, the system grew to become the dominant medium for remittances in Myanmar. It also remains unregulated despite authorities acknowledging its use in criminal and terrorist activity. However, with an expanding and modernising financial sector, there is now increasing competition and challenges facing Myanmar’s hundi system. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on available literature and open source reporting, as well as interviews with former Myanmar Police Force officials. Findings This study provides a unique insight into Myanmar’s hundi system, its history and the challenges it faces. The once dominant system remains a known anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) risk and is having to compete with an expanding and modernising formal banking sector and the introduction of fintech and mobile money services. In the short term, these are unlikely to eliminate the hundi system completely, but may instead push hundi operators towards adopting these networks and technologies in their own operations. Originality/value Myanmar remains a very under-researched area and there has been a limited focus on its informal hundi remittance system and related AML/CFT issues. This paper will be a useful source for academics, development professionals, policymakers, law enforcement agencies and private sector actors seeking to understand Myanmar’s informal remittance system.

Beyond placement, layering and integration – the perception of trade-based money laundering risk in UK financial services

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 614-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Menz
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Trade Finance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proceeds Of Crime ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of trade-based money laundering in Letters of Credit (“L/C”) transactions among trade finance practitioners in the UK banking sector and to compare it to the perception of the same risk by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the regulator of the UK’s banking sector. Design/methodology A survey was used to carry out research among financial services professionals engaged in trade finance in the UK. Findings This paper contributes to the existing literature in a number of ways. First, it investigates the perception of trade-based money laundering risk from the perspective of financial services professionals, which has not previously been done. Second, it argues that the perception of trade-based money laundering in financial services is overly focussed on placement, layering and integration, and that the full extent of the offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is less well known. It further found that financial services firms need to improve their understanding of the nature of trade-based money laundering under UK law. Practical implications This study argues that the financial services sector’s perception of trade-based money laundering risk in trade finance is underdeveloped and makes suggestions on how to improve it. Originality/value It provided unique insight into the perception of trade-based money laundering risk among financial services professionals.

Does experiential advertising impact credibility?

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lova Rajaobelina ◽  
Caroline Lacroix ◽  
Anik St-Onge
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Experiential Marketing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of five dimensions of experiential advertising (cognitive, emotional, sensory, relational and behavioural) on advertising credibility in the banking sector. Design/methodology/approach A total of 277 undergraduate students were asked to complete a questionnaire after viewing two versions of a bank advertisement. Results were analysed using structural modelling equations (EQS 6.2). Findings Findings show that all dimensions of experiential advertising positively impact advertisement credibility. Cognitive/emotional/sensory advertisements exert the greatest impact, followed by relational and then behavioural advertisements which have only a marginal impact. Post hoc results show that the impact of experiential advertising on advertising credibility varies according to both actor and respondent gender. Originality/value This study enhances the literature on experiential marketing and credibility, especially banking sector advertising, and provides more in-depth insight into the role of respondent and actor gender in influencing responses. Financial services practitioners would be well advised to devote particular attention to the formulation of experiential strategies when developing advertising campaigns.

FIFA – highlighting the links between global banking and international money laundering

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 498-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Ahmad Naheem
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Due Diligence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
Financial Services Sector ◽  
Global Banking ◽  
Beneficial Ownership ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis paper uses the recent (August 2015) FIFA arrests to provide an example of how illicit financial flows are occurring through the formal banking and financial services sector. The purpose of this paper is to explore which elements of anti-money laundering (AML) compliance need to be addressed to strengthen the banking response and reduce the impact of IFFs within the banking sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on the indictment document currently prepared for the FIFA arrests and the District Court case of Chuck Blazer the FIFA Whistleblower. It uses the banking examples identified in the indictment as typologies of money laundering and wire fraud. Corresponding industry reports on AML compliance are included to determine where the major weaknesses and gaps are across the financial service.FindingsThe main findings from the analysis are that banks still have weak areas within AML compliance. Even recognised red flag areas such as off shore havens, large wire transfers and front companies are still being used. The largest gaps still appear to be due diligence and beneficial ownership information.Research limitations/implicationsThe research topic is very new and emerging topic; therefore, analysis papers and other academic writing on this topic are limited.Practical implicationsThe research paper has identified a number of implications for the banking sector, addressing AML deficiencies, especially the need to consider the source of funds and the need for further enhanced due diligence systems for politically exposed and influential people and the importance of beneficial ownership information.Social implicationsThis paper has implications for the international development and the global banking sector. It will also influence approaches to AML regulation, risk assessment and audit within the broader financial services sector.Originality/valueThe originality of this paper is the link between the emerging issues associated with allegations of bribery and corruption within FIFA and the illicit financial flow implications across the banking sector.

Service innovation, service delivery and customer satisfaction and loyalty in the banking sector of Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1215-1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kong YuSheng ◽  
Masud Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Initial Study ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The concept of innovation is gaining ground steadily in the context of an increasingly competitive and highly volatile banking sector. The purpose of this paper is to find out the role of service innovation (SI) in the relationship between service delivery (SERVD), customer satisfaction (CSAT) and loyalty in the banking sector of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Drawing from banking and marketing literature, a conceptual framework was developed and tested using data from 450 sampled customers of commercial banks in Ghana. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The findings indicate that SI has direct influence on SERVD and CSAT. Again the findings revealed a positive relationship between SERVD, CSAT and bank customer loyalty. Research limitations/implications This study offers theoretical support for the adoption of innovative techniques in service provision and delivery. Originality/value This paper provides an initial study into innovation management in financial services context in an emerging economy.

Municipal-owned community bank: capital raising dilemma

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Tobias Aloisi Swai
Keyword(s):  
Commercial Bank ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Order Theory ◽  
Individual Investors ◽  
Bank Capital ◽  
Regulatory Capital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Bank

Learning outcomes The case introduces student to basic understanding of banking sector in Tanzania as well as the strategies and struggle to raise capital through shareholders’ funds. Application of Banking theory and Pecking order theory is evidenced from the case. The case outlines why the bank struggled to raise capital and what triggers the capital raising strategies. It also give students an opportunity to think about applicable theories of capital structure and bank capital, and strategies the bank could use to rescue its capital crunch in the future. Case overview/synopsis The case provides details of how the Capital Community Bank (CCB) raised its capital through strategic financial engineering which enabled it to raise the minimum regulatory capital required to be licensed as a financial institution unit, to a regional financial institution, to a fully fledged commercial bank. The bank started with a paid up capital of TZS 472.3m in 2002, involving four Local Government Authorities and individual investors. Capital raised to TZS 31.3bn in 2014 and down to TZS 20.6bn at the end of 2016. The minimum regulatory capital required is TZS 15bn, while paid up capital was 16.9bn. With the change of the management team in 2017, the bank is looking for avenues to raise further capital to meet the regulatory limits and continue to survive as a commercial bank, given dramatic changes in the banking sector in Tanzania. Complexity academic level The case is suitable for third year students in Bachelor of Commerce/Economics specializing in banking/financial services. It also suits postgraduate/master's students seeking a Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Business Administration in financial institutions/banking course. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.

European antiquities trade: a refuge for money laundering and terrorism financing

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Compliance Officers ◽  
Terrorism Financing ◽  
Financing Of Terrorism ◽  
Antiquities Trade

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate how criminals launder money in the antiquities trade in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative content analysis of 58 semi-structured expert interviews with both criminals and prevention experts and a quantitative survey of 184 compliance officers revealed the concrete techniques used to launder money in the European antiquities trade. Findings The antiquities market facilitates the placement, layering and integration of the transfer of assets to terrorist organizations. Most importantly, it is among the few profitable methods of laundering money. Research limitations/implications As the findings of the qualitative study are based on semi-standardized interviews, they are limited to the 58 interviewees’ perspectives. Practical implications The identification of concrete methods of money laundering and terrorism financing aims to provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with valuable insight into criminal activity. Originality/value While the existing literature focuses on organizations fighting money laundering and the financing of terrorism, this study instead describes how criminals avoid detection by taking into account prevention and criminal perspectives.

scholarly journals The Role of ‘Digitalization’ in German Sustainability Bank Reporting

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Diener ◽  
Miroslav Špaček
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Current Analysis ◽  
Structural Inequality ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
Financial Services Sector ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Insight Into

The financial services sector, particularly with respect to today’s banking industry, is aiming to make a digital transition. Sustainable reporting is a holistic new reporting approach in banking and has only become partially mandatory for the sector. Thus, this paper makes a contribution to the current analysis approach and further development of the German Sustainability Code as well as associated legal approaches. It concerns the assessment of mandatory sustainable reporting in the light of constantly changing market conditions and stricter legal requirements for stakeholder data responsibility. In specific, it focuses on a digital evolving business environment and is intended to provide an insight into the perception of the topic of digitalization in the banking sector. The assessment is based on the structure of the German Sustainability Code. Based on 113 bank reports, a multiple regression analysis of 1410 codings of the keyword ‘digital’ is carried out. The results show that banks partly and not fully address digital issues in their reporting. It transpires that the emphasis is on seven criteria, while social elements are totally ignored. The paper shows a structural inequality within sustainable bank reporting with regard to digitalization. It also shows that issues are not adequately addressed and covered in legal reporting standards and that the provision of information to stakeholders on specific issues is largely undefined.

scholarly journals Financial development, openness in financial services trade and economic growth

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabia Khatun ◽  
Jagadish Prasad Bist
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Financial Development ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Services Trade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stock Market Development ◽  
Insurance Sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between financial development, openness in financial services trade and economic growth in BRICS countries for the period 1990–2012. Design/methodology/approach An index for financial development has been constructed using principal component analysis technique by including banking sector development, stock market development, bond market development and insurance sector development. For the robustness of the result, the long-run cointegrating relationship amongst the variables has been analyzed. Findings Overall financial development has a positive and significant impact on economic growth. To take the full advantage of openness in financial services trade, countries need to put more emphasis on the development of their stock markets, bond markets and the insurance sector. The result shows that openness in financial services trade has a positive impact on economic growth when the stock market, bond market and insurance sector are included in the system. Research limitations/implications The policy implication of the findings is that policymakers should focus more on developing all four areas of finance to get the full benefit of the financial system on the process of economic growth. Originality/value The authors have constructed the better indicators of financial development in the case of BRICS economies. Most of the studies in BRICS economies have measured the development of the financial sector as either banking sector development or stock market development. However, the present study includes all four areas of finance (banking sector development, stock market development, insurance sector development and bond market development) into account.

An evaluation of customers' perception and usage of rural community banks (RCBs) in Ghana

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana Owusu‐Frimpong
Keyword(s):  
Rural Community ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Community Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Infrastructural Development ◽  
High Street

PurposeTo ascertain customers' usage level and perceptions of the image of rural community banks (RCBs) in Ghana. This research examines whether women and men differ in their levels of satisfaction and expectation about the banks' services. It also assesses the contribution of RCBs towards infrastructural development in the rural areas.Design/methodology/approachBoth desk and primary research methods were employed. Face‐to‐face interviews took place in 15 bank branches in the eastern region of Ghana. Over 170 respondents consisting of 105 males and 65 females co‐operated for this study. Analyses are presented in a statistical format using mean score and t‐test.FindingsRCBs are perceived as fairly active in rural infrastructural development, and have collaborated with NGOs to help identify, mobilise and educate rural groups in the usage and benefits of banking services. Men and women are gradually cultivating the banking culture. Both genders perceive the quality of financial advice, provision of information and service delivery as areas that need significant improvement. There are no significant differences between both genders in their perceptions and expectation of the banks services.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size was limited to only one part of Ghana and may not be entirely representative.Practical implicationsThis study provides a meaningful insight into consumer behaviour in rural banking sector and useful platform for future studies in marketing of financial services in a developing country context.Originality/valueThe study is unique in that it looks at a rural banking service provision in a sub‐Sahara African country, a setting that markedly differs from the traditional high street banks sectors in the developed world. The results will enable financial service providers to consider the changing needs and wants of RCBs customers.

Spatial analysis of the distribution and determinants of bank branch presence in Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Ansong ◽  
Gina Chowa ◽  
Bernice Korkor Adjabeng
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Bank Branch ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bank Branches ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Spatial Analyst ◽  
Branch Banking

Purpose – Expanding access to financial services for the 70 percent of Ghanaians who are unbanked is critical. Bank branches have been the primary channel for financial service delivery, but this may be changing because of technological innovations. Analysts believe branch-based banking still has a role in promoting financial inclusion. The purpose of this paper is to examine the pattern of bank branch presence across rural and urban Ghana; the disparities in the spatial distribution of domestic, foreign, and rural and community bank branches; and the district level characteristics associated with the pattern of spatial distribution of bank branches. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses spatial analyst tools, geographically weighted Poisson regression, and data from Ghana’s banking sector to show the inequality in availability of branch-based services and to highlight the district and regional level differences in the determinants of branch allocation. Findings – The study finds evidence of inequality in access to financial services. Physical bank branches are disproportionately more accessible in the urban south compared to the rural north. The study also finds that population size, percentage of urban residents, workforce size, and literacy level are associated with bank allocation but the results vary by district. Practical implications – Branch banking needs modernization to continue to bring financial services in closer proximity. Development of physical and electronic infrastructure could attract financial institutions to serve deprived areas with significant concentration of unbanked populations. Originality/value – Findings of the study point to the need for banks to re-envision branch banking technology to make branch banking more interactive. Banks need to find ways to fuse transferable elements of mobile phone banking into branch-based banking, not just to attract younger technology-savvy customers but also to help make operations more attractive, efficient, and cost effective.

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