Banks are facing increased pressure to drive shareholder
value. Despite compressed margins and low loan growth,
the industry has made substantial progress in improving its
financial performance by limiting expenses and growing
noninterest income.
Through the second quarter of 2013, earnings had posted
year-over-year growth for 16 consecutive quarters and
reached a record nominal high of $42.2 billion. However,
ROE for banks larger than $10 billion, at 10.6 percent in
the second quarter, was still below the 1993-2006 average
of 14.4 percent (see Figure 3).17
To help support additional business demands, the role of
the chief financial officer (CFO) has evolved to be more
strategic in nature, especially involving efficient capital
deployment and cost management. As part of this change,
finance functions have begun building integrated reporting
capabilities and analytical skills. Despite some progress,
firms have yet to fully develop and utilize these tools.