E-Commerce Coursework Sample

You are required

· to identify a company in the given Industry,

· determine how the Industry operates and how the company operates in that Industry (how it fits into that Industry),

· the role ecommerce plays and

· the type of legislation that the company is subject to.

(A company considered in the finance and banking Industry may be Barclays, for example)

Explain what the Industry is, how it operates, and any other background information that will intelligently and comprehensively inform the reader about the Industry. (Max 2 A4 sides)

Industry Background:

In the early age, the temples were regarded as banks, where the people could find the safest place to keep or store their precious things. Then later, with the growth of ages, the merchants emerged. This gave some money to the needed ones in place of which they used to keep the properties or any valuable thing from the one, whom they are allotting the money (today known as loans), so that if in case they do not get their money back due to any reason, they become the owner of that property.

Later, in around 1156, world’s first foreign trade exchange occurred in Genoa, with the borrowing of 115 Genoese pounds by two brothers, with commitment of returning the sum of 460 bezants to the bank’s agent in Constantinople after the one month to their arrival to the city. This system of finance grew up at a fast pace in the upcoming centuries.

By the year 1200, this system grew a lot at international level, where the people exchanged their agricultural commodities, and manufactured goods. It also included exchange of wool, corn, finished cloth, salt, cotton, weapons, etc.

It is expected that the modern banking system started from coffee houses of London and the Royal Exchanges were built in 1565. This was in a hierarchal manner amongst the professionals. Top most level was formed by the bankers, which dealt only with the state heads. At the next level were the city exchanges and at the last level were the pawn shops or Lombard. Lombard Street is found in many European cities today also where, it is said the pawn shops were located.

The trade was transferred to Amsterdam after the Antwerp was seized. Amsterdamsche Wisselbank (Amsterdam Exchange Bank) was founded in 1609 from where Amsterdam came to be known as the financial centre of the world till the date of Industrial Revolution.

The banks were normally found close to the trade centers, and with the end of 17th century; the ports of Amsterdam, Hamburg and London formed the largest commerce centers. By getting credit bills, almost every individual took part in the profitable East India trade.

There was a boom in Banking Industry, around 1776 i.e. at the time of Adam Smith. The barriers, being faced towards the competition were almost removed with the reduction of States’ intervention in economical affairs by the introduction of new strategy of ownership and investment.

The increasing demand of the companies, government, and other financial institutes lead the capital market and global banking suddenly experienced an upliftment in the duration of 1980s and 1990s. The conditions prevailing in the finance market were quiet sound, hence supported the growth of global banking. The rates of interest also declined in US under various categories of financing.

It is now being noticed that the interests of people is getting more towards the foreign stocks and this is causing the US financial market dominance get disappear slowly. The bend of people in saving their money in the foreign countries and the foreign markets not being regulated are mainly responsible for the over growth of foreign financial market. This had led even Americans too to invest in the foreign market.

This rapid growth in the field of finance market has introduced a new technology of financing, known as non-bank finance. Under this technology comes, hedge funds, pension plans, insurance, mutual money, etc. This in turn has further improved the banking and finance conditions. Both these industries, the banking and the non-banking are continuously exploring and utilizing newer techniques day-by-day, due to which the distinction between the two different types of industries is vanishing totally.

Identify a company within that Industry, also known as a ‘player’ and provide some background to that company (location, size, products / services it offers, how long it has been formulated, any aims or goals etc.) and any other relevant information about the company that will give a good understanding of the company’s background and potential.

Company Background:

The ICICI Bank, started in 1994, by ICICI Ltd., forms its position among the largest banks (mainly in pvt. Sector). Later in 2002 both, ICICI Bank and ICICI Ltd got merged together. Customers and corporates can avail various financial services and banking products through ICICI Bank, with the help of its multiple channels and subsidiaries. After setting up IGB in 2002, ICICI has its branches in around 14 countries like: Singapore, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Dubai, Sri-Lanka; through its subsidiaries in Russia, UK, and Canada, with its representative offices at US, UAE, South Africa.

ICICI UK Branch:

The ICICI Bank UK Ltd.; situated in London, initiated the ICICI group in UK; the first subsidiary at international level. It was started in Nov. 2003, and was regulated by FSA. After the taxing, its profit for fiscal year 2006 was about EU 11.99 million; with employees over 150. It targets on its various sections:

i) Banking on Retail Level: It forms the base of company’s progress in UK. Its main focus is on direct banking by the use of an operating platform of low-cost; in order to compete easily in the market. And then, secondly, it aims at an offer which is driven by various branches in UK, which are total of five in number. They are in: Wembley, Manchester, Knightsbridge, Southall and Leiceter; which cover the areas of NRIs population.

ii) Banking on Private Level: Various diversified activities and revenue driver for company are keyed by private banking. In the region like private equity in India and real estate; its huge section is offered by banking solutions.

iii) Banking Though Corporates: It is a bank, which provides multiple services like: overdrafts, investment banking, working capital facilities, advisory services and loans. It also play a vital role in trade flow financing between UK and India.

ICICI Bank in other EU Countries:

With the target to achieve heights and tap the diamond financing market, ICICI Bank now has established its one of the branch in Antwerp, Belgium. This place is known as hub of diamond business. The bank is also planning to offer corporate banking services through this branch.

Future Plans if ICICI:

The utmost plan for future of ICICI bank UK Ltd. is to become India’s first local bank in UK. The bank is also planning to get the maximum profit from the services, it is providing to the NRIs. Also, it is planning to become a full- service corporate solution provider across the Europe. ICICI Bank also plans to serve the Indian companies, which are making their place in EU market (with the help of acquisitions and mergers), by providing them proper finance to raise their corporate and investments abroad.

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