Philippines Banking Sector Analysis by: Shushmul Maheshwari

Over a period of time, the banking industry of the Philippines has seen a transformation with the reforms being carried out by both the banking regulator and the government. The reform process has resulted in improved banking industry, with industry income touching new heights in 2007.
Moreover, the Philippine banking industry has been undergoing consolidation that will further strengthen its position as new entities will increase the competition level. Moreover, banks will continue to be supported by a benign economic outlook, which reduces the likelihood of a sharp increase in unemployment or corporate bankruptcies, as per “Philippines Banking Sector Analysis", a new research report by RNCOS.

The report provides extensive research and rational analysis on the Philippines banking industry and helps clients in analyzing the current performance and growth opportunities that exist in the banking industry. The report provides detailed overview of the banking industry in the Philippines by contemplating and analyzing various parameters like assets size, income level, number of financial cardholders etc. It helps clients to understand various products available in the Philippines banking industry and their future scope.

The future forecast discusses the future prospects of different arms of banking industry, including bancassurance, financial cards, mobile banking and role of technology in banking. The future projection given in this report is done on the basis of the current market scenario, past trends, and rules and regulations laid by the central bank.

For the purpose of this research report, Asia consist of China, India, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

Key Findings

- The Philippine banking industry posted a CAGR hike of 8.46% in asset base between 2004 and 2007.
- Industry deposits in the country grew at a CAGR of 9.82% from 2004 to 2007.
- Deposit mobilization is concentrated with universal and commercial banks, which account for the majority of the Philippine banking industry deposit.
- Financial Intermediation was the largest shareholder of the loan disbursal by banks during 2004-2007.
- Bancassurance will account for 65% of the total sales of insurance products by 2011.
- Increasing at a CAGR of 69.78%, microfinancing in the Philippines is expected to reach 56.5 Billion Pesos.
- Increasing mobile penetration will expand the mobile banking user base to more than 11 Million by 2011.

Key Issues & Facts Analyzed

- Market analysis of different product segments in the banking industry.
- Evaluation of current market trends.
- Factors driving growth in the Philippines banking industry.
- Analysis of challenges and opportunities for the industry.

Key Players Analyzed

This section covers the overview about the major players in the Philippines banking industry like Metropolitan Bank and Trust, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Banco de Oro UniBank Inc. and Land Bank of the Philippines.

Research Methodology Used

Information Sources

Information has been sourced from books, newspapers, trade journals, and white papers, industry portals, government agencies, trade associations, monitoring industry news and developments, and through access to more than 3000 paid databases.

Analysis Method

The analysis methods include ratio analysis, historical trend analysis, linear regression analysis using software tools, judgmental forecasting, and cause and effect analysis.

Read more...

US Aluminum Industry to Grow Over 5.4% CAGR to 2013, Says RNCOS by: Shushmul Maheshwari

At present, the US aluminum market is largely driven by automobile, construction, and packaging Industry. Use of aluminum in automobiles will keep on growing with increasing public demand for a greener environment and greater fuel efficiency that has forced policymakers to raise fuel economy standards, cut carbon dioxide emissions and enhance the use of aluminum in automobiles. Consequently, enabling the US aluminum industry to register a steady CAGR of 5.4% (in value terms) during 2009-2013, says RNCOS in its new research report “US Aluminum Market Analysis”.
Our industry experts have done thorough research on the US aluminum industry and has identified various decisive trends prevailing in the market, We have inferred that aluminum industry in the US is dominated by the top four players, accounting for nearly 80% of the market share, which gives rise to intense rivalry in the industry and calls for new market entrants to balance the aluminum demand-supply mechanism in the country.

According to the report, financial crisis will hamper the aluminum industry’s growth rate in 2009 amid slowdown in country’s automobile and construction industry. However, under the government’s stimulus plan, US$ 6.5 Billion will be granted to the aluminum sector so that more aluminum power transmission lines could be laid in the country, which will certainly work as a catalyst for triggering the aluminum demand in the country and will provide potential growth opportunities to existing and new market players.

With interest in "green" building increasing in the country, aluminum’s role in an array of building and construction applications is poised to grow, which could be attributed to aluminum’s recyclability, low weight, durability, and reflectivity. This will further boost the aluminum demand and will help industry to overcome the negative impacts of crisis.

Our report “US Aluminum Market Analysis” provides an extensive research and equitable analysis of the US aluminum market, its operations and future possibilities in the market. It evaluates past as well as present trends in the country’s aluminum market with respect to production, market value, consumption, price, etc. which facilitates deeper understanding of the market with a balanced economic approach. Report also provides forecasts on all relevant segments of the market, considering the impact of economic slowdown.
Read more...

Small Business Medical Insurance by Lothar

Health care insurance business becomes more profitable because of its increasing cost. That's why it is more important than ever that small businesses find the perfect balance between cost and coverage, while still offering their employees an attractive and reliable health insurance package. Compared to the coverage and options that a certain employee can avail before, they are more interested on what they will received now, as rising health care costs have impacted them too.
So, small business medical insurance shouldn't be compared on just cost alone. Instead, business owners and human resource managers should consider coverage as well.
Small business medical insurance covers not just outpatient surgeries and emergency visits. Coverage also counts when considering physical area. If your employees live in a relatively local area than coverage considerations shouldn't be that big of a factor. If employees are wide-spread or live across state (or even country) lines, then coverage might be a larger consideration. There are many options to choose from when it comes to health insurance before.

Now, companies may find that it is least expensive to offer a variety of options from just one or two main providers, as small business medical insurance providers are now offering discounts for the amount of people that are insured through them (the size of the insured group). Some of the employees, especially in small businesses, are related to the owner. In this case, discounted policies for relatives may be something worth looking into.

Maybe you want to look for policies that offer options for individuals especially when your employees are not related to you. It is also critical to know that in most states affordable coverage can be offered by businesses with as a few as two employees. It is also worth noting that many states consider a small business (for the purpose of seeking insurance coverage) one that has two to fifty employees. More than fifty employees may mean that your business is considered a mid-size business and may have different options when it comes to seeking health care coverage.

Adding dental and vision coverage to the health insurance plans, small business can earn discounts. In addition, other less traditional plans like AD&D (accidental death and dismemberment), life insurance, Workers Comp insurance and accident insurance can all offer savings if added to policies offered employees. Through internet you can find group health insurance quotes online, so that you can find sites that offer one click service and return rates from several different small business medical insurance providers.

It is not an intimidating option, especially if you manage your business in a right way, to find small business medical insurance coverage and for your business and employee, be smart in selecting a provider. Bundle your options by offering several plans and ad-on's (like life insurance, vision, dental, etc.) and you may save even more. Lastly, small businesses shouldn't view health insurance as an


Read more...