The prospects of the integration of European
financial markets in 1992 have substantially affected
the competitive environment in the banking
sector during the last few years. Competition
has become stiffer than ever and therefore banks
have been forced to develop appropriate mechanisms
in order to improve their overall performance.
Branch banks in particular are obliged to
set up and put into effect the necessary decision
support systems that will enable them to allow for
local conditions in planning new locations, evaluating
performance and providing marketing support
to their geographically separate units.