Free Essays on Beowulf And King Arthur Compare-Contrast Essay

Beowulf and king Authur comparison essay By: Stacey Wynn Lamont The Great Ones Reveled Numerous stories about numerous heroes have been told and then retold. All of these heroes do different things and all of them have a different set of qualities which make them heroes. Due to the fact that there are only so many heroic adventures and qualities, most are shared in part with at least one other hero. Such is the case between the great hero, Beowulf, from the epic poem Beowulf and King Arthur from the story of Morte d’Arthur. These great heroes have strong similarities and a great deal of differences. Once their similarities have been compared and then dismissed it is evident that Beowulf is the greater hero of the two. True heroes do good things for good people. Such is the case in Beowulf, Beowulf leaves his homeland to help the Danish people rid themselves of the human eating monster, Grendel. This heroic quality is also evident in Morte d'Arthur, as Arthur consciously rides into a battle in order to rid his people of an evil knight who w ould not allow others to pass. Both heroes are displaying their concern for others by risking themselves in battle for the greater good. In the same aspect they are also striving for love and respect from the people they protect. In order to obtain maximum respect per battle, both Beowulf and Arthur enter into battle somewhat alone. Beowulf specifically asks, â€Å"That [he], alone and with the help of [his] men, / May purge all evil from [the] hall† (Beowulf, line 165-166). His request is granted by Hrothgar, King of the Danes, so he and his man enter into the battle themselves and when Grendel is defeated, the glory, love and respect belong solely to Beowulf and his men. Arthur does the same, â€Å"he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and dressed his shield and took his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there till he came again† (Morte d’Arthur paragraph 20). Although Ar... Free Essays on Beowulf And King Arthur Compare-Contrast Essay Free Essays on Beowulf And King Arthur Compare-Contrast Essay Beowulf and king Authur comparison essay By: Stacey Wynn Lamont The Great Ones Reveled Numerous stories about numerous heroes have been told and then retold. All of these heroes do different things and all of them have a different set of qualities which make them heroes. Due to the fact that there are only so many heroic adventures and qualities, most are shared in part with at least one other hero. Such is the case between the great hero, Beowulf, from the epic poem Beowulf and King Arthur from the story of Morte d’Arthur. These great heroes have strong similarities and a great deal of differences. Once their similarities have been compared and then dismissed it is evident that Beowulf is the greater hero of the two. True heroes do good things for good people. Such is the case in Beowulf, Beowulf leaves his homeland to help the Danish people rid themselves of the human eating monster, Grendel. This heroic quality is also evident in Morte d'Arthur, as Arthur consciously rides into a battle in order to rid his people of an evil knight who w ould not allow others to pass. Both heroes are displaying their concern for others by risking themselves in battle for the greater good. In the same aspect they are also striving for love and respect from the people they protect. In order to obtain maximum respect per battle, both Beowulf and Arthur enter into battle somewhat alone. Beowulf specifically asks, â€Å"That [he], alone and with the help of [his] men, / May purge all evil from [the] hall† (Beowulf, line 165-166). His request is granted by Hrothgar, King of the Danes, so he and his man enter into the battle themselves and when Grendel is defeated, the glory, love and respect belong solely to Beowulf and his men. Arthur does the same, â€Å"he met with his man and his horse, and so mounted up and dressed his shield and took his spear, and bade his chamberlain tarry there till he came again† (Morte d’Arthur paragraph 20). Although Ar...

Gypsies During the Holocaust Timeline

Gypsies During the Holocaust Timeline The Gypsies (Roma and Sinti) are one of the forgotten victims of the Holocaust. The Nazis, in their strive, to rid the world of undesirables, targeted both Jews and Gypsies for extermination. Follow the path of persecution to mass slaughter in this timeline of what happened to the Gypsies during the Third Reich. 1899Alfred Dillmann establishes the Central Office for Fighting the Gypsy Nuisance in Munich. This office collected information and fingerprints of Gypsies. 1922Law in Baden requires Gypsies to carry special identification papers. 1926In Bavaria, the Law for the Combating the Gypsies, Travellers, and Work-Shy sent Gypsies over 16 to workhouses for two years if they could not prove regular employment. July 1933Gypsies sterilized under the Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring. September 1935Gypsies included in the Nuremberg Laws (Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor). July 1936400 Gypsies are rounded up in Bavaria and transported to the Dachau concentration camp. 1936The Racial Hygiene and Population Biology Research Unit of the Ministry of Health at Berlin-Dahlem are established, with Dr. Robert Ritter its director. This office interviewed, measured, studied, photographed, fingerprinted, and examined Gypsies in order to document them and create complete genealogical listings for every Gypsy. 1937Special concentration camps are created for Gypsies (Zigeunerlagers). November 1937Gypsies are excluded from the military. December 14, 1937Law Against Crime orders arrests of those who by anti-social behavior even if they have committed no crime have shown that they do not wish to fit into society. Summer 1938In Germany, 1,500 Gypsy men are sent to Dachau and 440 Gypsy women are sent to Ravensbrà ¼ck. December 8, 1938Heinrich Himmler issues a decree on the Fight Against the Gypsy Menace which states that the Gypsy problem will be treated as a matter of race. June 1939In Austria, a decree orders 2,000 to 3,000 Gypsies to be sent to concentration camps. October 17, 1939Reinhard Heydrich issues the Settlement Edict which prohibits Gypsies from leaving their homes or camping places. January 1940Dr. Ritter reports that Gypsies have mixed with asocials and recommends to have them kept in labor camps and to stop their breeding. January 30, 1940A conference organized by Heydrich in Berlin decides to remove 30,000 Gypsies to Poland. Spring 1940Deportations of Gypsies begins from the Reich to the Generalgouvernment. October 1940Deportation of Gypsies temporarily halted. Fall 1941Thousands of Gypsies murdered at Babi Yar. October to November, 19415,000 Austrian Gypsies, including 2,600 children, deported to the Lodz Ghetto. December 1941Einsatzgruppen D shoots 800 Gypsies in Simferopol (Crimea). January 1942The surviving Gypsies within the Lodz Ghetto are deported to the Chelmno death camp and killed. Summer 1942Probably about this time when decision was made to annihilate the Gypsies.1 October 13, 1942Nine Gypsy representatives appointed to make lists of pure Sinti and Lalleri to be saved. Only three of the nine had completed their lists by the time deportations began. The end result was that the lists didnt matter - Gypsies on the lists were also deported. December 3, 1942Martin Bormann writes to Himmler against the special treatment of pure Gypsies. December 16, 1942Himmler gives the order for all German Gypsies to be sent to Auschwitz. January 29, 1943RSHA announces the regulations for the implementation of deporting Gypsies to Auschwitz. February 1943Family camp for Gypsies constructed in Auschwitz II, section BIIe. February 26, 1943The first transport of Gypsies delivered to the Gypsy Camp in Auschwitz. March 29, 1943Himmler orders all Dutch Gypsies to be sent to Auschwitz. Spring 1944All attempts to save pure Gypsies has been forgotten.2 April 1944Those Gypsies that are fit for work are selected in Auschwitz and sent to other camps. August 2-3, 1944Zigeunernacht (Night of the Gypsies): All Gypsies who remained in Auschwitz were gassed. Notes: 1. Donald Kenrick and Grattan Puxon, The Destiny of Europes Gypsies (New York: Basic Books, Inc., 1972) 86.2. Kenrick, Destiny 94.

Summary and response for Arad and Walker, Reflecting Absence Essay

Summary and response for Arad and Walker, Reflecting Absence - Essay Example Two large designated areas will be built, both of which contain pools. These designated areas represent the footprints of the two World Trade Center towers. Deciduous trees will be included throughout the park. The two designated areas also contain a ramp that leads down into the areas. This is intended to have the effect of removing the public from the noise and bustle of the city and create a solemn area. In this area there is also a ribbon of names that is intended to underline the enormity of the tragedy. The names are placed in no particular order as the authors indicate, â€Å"I have found that any arrangement that tries to impose meaning through physical adjacency will cause grief and anguish to people who might be excluded from that process, furthering the sense of loss that they are already suffering† (Arad & Walker, Web). There is a passageway between the two areas that can be used for remembrance. In this area visitors are able to leave candles or artifacts to comme morate the tragedy. There is also a passageway that leads to an underground complex. In this area there is room for lectures, a research library, as well as a museum that includes remnants of the tragedy (twisted steel, a crushed fire engine). Ultimately, the authors indicate that this memorial is intended as a place of remembrance for both the city and the victims of the tragedy. Furthermore, the area is designed to work seamlessly into the urban landscape, as well as working as an area of meditation. When considering the Reflecting Absence memorial I hold a number of conflicting viewpoints on the ultimate efficacy of the project. When considering the aesthetic elements of the memorial it seems that the architects have done an excellent job of creating a subtle and meditative atmosphere. For example, the two pools operating to commemorate the fallen towers are effective elements. Similarly, the water inside the designated areas and the deciduous trees outlining the memorial are

MBA - Economics - MicroEconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MBA - Economics - MicroEconomics - Essay Example They are characterized by a lack of economic competition for the good or service that they provide and lack of viable substitutes. Results would show that under the Perfect Competition scenario, attaining profit maximization equilibrium at the given equations for cost and pricing would result to a loss for the company. The output may be high and the price low as compared to the Monopoly scenario but the overall effect is that the company does not gain from the venture. It is not surprising that it turned out that the firm will profit more from the monopoly situation because consumers do not have any alternative. Monopolies are expected to produce less and set it a higher price because there is no substitute available on the market. Consumers need the product and so they will buy in at whatever price is set thereby resulting to a decline in social welfare. The lack of competition results to less concern for efficiency and innovation. Products would experience little or no improvement. Since there are no available substitutes the consumer is forced to use the product which further leads to decrease in consumer welfare. Nonetheless, there is a concept which states that the loss of efficiency of firms can raise a potential competitor's value enough to overcome market entry barriers or provide incentive for research and new alternatives. The government may even step in and break the monopoly. According to the theory of contestable markets, monopolies can be forced to behave as if there were competition because of the risk of losing their monopoly to new entrants especially when barriers to market entry are low. It might also be because of the availability in the longer term of substitutes in other markets. This is seldom the case however.Under the perfect competition, we were able to determine that the firm would be making a loss. Does it follow then we should stop production The answer lies on considerations of different total costs levels and whether the firm is operating in the short run or in the long run. Why do even question whether it should continue or not Common sense would tell us that if we are not gaining anything from a venture then we should withdraw from it. However, production entails fixed costs which the firm should account for whether they manufacture or not. It may turn out that continuing production would be enough to cover the fixed costs. When the firm is geared for short run perspectives but is registering losses, it is advisable that it should still continue production provided that the Total costs (TC) is greater than total revenue (TR) and that total revenue is equal to total variable cost (TVC). If it fails to achieve one of these conditions, then it would be advisable to shut down so that they will only pay for the fixed costs. Even if the firm stops producing, it will have to continue to meet the level of fixed costs. Since whether the firm produces or not, it will have to pay fixed costs, it is better for it to continue production in an attempt to decrease total costs and increase total revenue, thus making profits. In the long run scenario, the condition to continue producing requires the price P to be higher than the Average Total Cost. If P is equal to ATC, the firm is indifferent between shutting down and continuing to produce. This case is different from the short run shut down case because in long run there's no longer a fixed cost because everything

Rate Relief in Tort-Reform States Essay Example for Free

Rate Relief in Tort-Reform States Essay Any act that is illegal, and not criminal, which may also be called a civil crime is a Tort. The attempt to, change court cases so as to avoid false verdicts that run into thousands of dollars is called Tort reform. A vehicle accident is one of the common types of tort; legal suits regarding malpractices in the medical fields are also torts. Tort reforms usually include awarding a limited amount of money for any type of damages like accidents, pain, distress and mental agony. For example in a car accident, the damage done to the car is $ 4,000 and the amount you need for medical treatment is 4,000. You have a total of $ 8,000 as economic damages. If you receive like say $ 5,000 for the pain and agony you have to undergo, it would come under non-economic damages. According to studies non-economic caps resulted in reduction in losses for general and medical malpractice cover, a decreased premium and greater profit for insurers, for medical malpractice legal responsibility  Ã‚   insurers. Which further resulted in a greater decline in the number of cases filed. On the other hand, physicians all over the country were looking for extra tort reform from the state officials in the 2005 legislative meeting. The stability of the insurance premium towards medical liability is the main goal of the physicians. In Connecticut physicians were looking for a cap on non-economic damages and a relief in insurance premium. In South Carolina, doctors pressed for a cap of $250,000 on non-economic damages and asked for removal of the ban against compulsory negotiations among patients and doctor. Rate Relief in Tort-Reform States   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to some doctors and lawmakers, there is still a long way to go before they recover from the medical liability crisis. Texas is one of the crisis states among the19 states according to the American Medical Association, in which doctors are resigning, restraining high-risk procedures and retiring early on because they cant find or afford the money for insurance. The passage   of Proposition 12, which restricted non-economic damages in liability awards and payments at $250,000 per physician. After the passing of Proposition 12, which guaranteed the introduction of caps accepted previously by the Texas legislature, some physicians in Texas already reported genuine premium savings. Neal Sklaver, FACP, who was a general internist with Medical Specialists Associated in Dallas, is incredibly satisfied that his premium payments have plummeted roughly $5,000 since the Proposition 12 was passed in September 2003. According to some physicians the Proposition 12 helped the doctors, but they can be still be sued for anything. Until all liability carriers bring down their rates, the advantages of Proposition 12 might continue to elude some doctors, particularly those who are not specialized where previous rates were very high. What seems to be more disturbing is that, even doctors whose payments have reduced said that they have got used to practicing protective medicine, after so many years of working in a malpractice setting. Whatever the outcome, but the tort reform is a very important measure by the Government, which should be handled carefully. One in fifty operations might go wrong by a doctor. Accidents happen by everyone, it is human nature to err, and we as humans should   try   to forgive   the   doctors, and see   to   it   that they are not   burdened by huge premiums, Rate Relief in Tort-Reform States which will be an obstacle in their career. The medical profession is one of the important and much needed profession. References   What Is Tort Reform And Why Is It Bad For The Public, Corpreform.com.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved 23 May 2007, http://www.corpreform.com/corpreform/2003/10/what_is_tort_re.html   Bonnie Darves, Texas tort reform, American College of Physicians, Retrieved 23 May 2007, http://www.acponline.org/journals/news/jan05/tortreform.htm Tanya Albert, Tort reform gives Texas doctors some relief, American Medical News,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved 23 May 2007, http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/05/17/prsc0517.htm Kathy Gill, Tort Reform – State Recap, About.com, Retrieved 23 May 2007,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://uspolitics.about.com/od/healthcare/a/01_tort_reform.htm The Issues – Tort Reform, CBS Evening News, Retrieved 23 May 2007,  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/01/eveningnews/main652747.shtml   Charles Kolodkin, Tort Reform and Its Impact on Medical Malpractice Insurance, IRMI.com,  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved 23 May 2007, http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2003/Kolodkin03.aspx

The Hopeless Battle :: Racism United States History Black Essays

The Hopeless Battle A courtroom is supposed to be a place of equal ground, where a person of any race, gender, or religion receives fair treatment under the law, and everyone is innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers. This has not always been the case, even though it was always been in the constitution. The 1930s was the beginning of the Great Depression. Most people were poor and couldn’t find work. The economy was terrible all over the world. During this period, the country was preoccupied, and little was done to help the black people receive the rights and treatment that they deserved. It was impossible for a black man in Alabama to receive a fair trial during the 1930s. A black man didn’t stand a chance of winning a court case against a white person because, Alabama was one of the most prejudice states in the country, the white people in Alabama during this period of time were still prejudice, and people resisted any change that would allow a black man more power. They also believed that black people were second-class to white people. To begin with, if a black man was on trial, the location of the courthouse played a major part in the verdict. The southern states were much more prejudice than the northern states. The majority of the southern states fought for slavery in the Civil War. Even in the 1930s, southern states refused to follow orders from the White House on how blacks were to be treated. Alabama and Mississippi, without much question, have been the most consistent centers of opposition to racial change, while Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina have been relatively less conservative. There has been no shortage of strong segregationists in the latter states, but militants have not dominated electoral politics to the same extent that they have in Mississippi and Alabama. (Black 105) A black man didn’t have much of a chance of winning a case against a white man anywhere, but this was especially true in the states of Alabama and Mississippi.

Credit Rating of Uttara Bank Limited Essay

1.1. Rationale of the Report In today’s world, banking sector has become an integral part of overall economy around the world. Millions of people are involved in banking sector. In Bangladesh, banking sector has experienced enormous growth over the past few decades. Millions of depositors, borrowers and other related parties have interest in this sector. Creditworthiness of banks is rated by CRAB and CRISL in Bangladesh. The idea behind our report on â€Å"Credit Rating Report on Uttara Bank Limited (UBL)† is to give credit rating of UBL by considering both qualitative and quantitative factors with judgement. 1.2 Origin of the Report This report has been prepared as a requirement for completion of MBA program under University of Dhaka. We have prepared the report under course F-504(Fixed Income Securities) with directions and valuable guidelines from our honorable course teacher Muhammad Mujibul Kabir, Associate Professor, Department Of Finance, University Of Dhaka. 3. Objectives of the Report Broad Objective: To do credit rating of Uttara Bank Limited (UBL) by considering important qualitative and quantitative information along with application of proper judgment. Specific Objectives: The objectives of the report are- âž ¢ To have an overall picture regarding the credit rating procedure of banking sector. âž ¢ To be informed with the trend and performance of the bank. âž ¢ To get an idea of factors affecting credit rating score of UBL. 4. Scope of the Report This report has been prepared to do credit rating of a particular bank (UBL) as assigned by our course teacher. 5. Methodology 1.5.1 Data Collection: The report is primarily based on secondary and published information. The major sources of information are published research reports and papers, DSE library, newspapers, data from annual report of UBL and peer banks, rating methodology of S&P etc. 1.5.2 Techniques of Data Analysis Both qualitative and quantitative statistical techniques were used for this research. †¢ Qualitative tools: bar graphs and trend line were used to present the collected data. †¢ Software used: Microsoft Excel 2007, Microsoft word 2007, stata software version 10. 6. Limitations In preparing the report, the main limitations that we faced were- †¢ Reliance on secondary data, mainly annual reports of banks. Sometimes, published data suffer from accounting manipulation. †¢ We had to prepare the credit rating report within a short time frame. Taking more time would have made the report more comprehensive. SECTION-II: THEORETICAL DISCUSSION ON CREDIT RATING 2.1. Why Credit Rating Is Necessary A credit rating evaluates the credit worthiness of a debtor, especially a business (company) or a government. It is an evaluation made by a credit rating agency of the debtor’s ability to pay back the debt and the likelihood of default. Credit ratings are determined by credit ratings agencies. The credit rating represents the credit rating agency’s evaluation of qualitative and quantitative information for a company. The credit rating is used by individuals and entities that purchase the bonds issued by companies and governments to determine the likelihood that the government will pay its bond obligations. A poor credit rating indicates a credit rating agency’s opinion that the company or government has a high risk of defaulting, based on the agency’s analysis of the entity’s history and analysis of long term economic prospects. 2.1. Corporate Credit Ratings The credit rating of a corporation is a financial indicator to potential investors of debt securities such as bonds. Credit rating is usually of a financial instrument such as a bond, rather than the whole corporation. There are two types of corporate credit rating: 1. entity rating 2. issue rating In Bangladesh, credit rating agencies conduct entity rating. However, issue rating may be different from or similar to or better than entity rating. Issue rating may be higher than entity rating if a particular issue is backed by sufficient collateral, third party guarantee. 2.3. Rating Methodology For the credit rating of the selected companies we have considered the guidelines provided by our course teacher. Credit rating is â€Å"an objective and impartial opinion on the ability and willingness of an issuer to make full and timely payments of financial obligations.† This opinion is conveyed in a simple alphanumerical scale, for easy reference and comparability. We have analyzed both the qualitative and the quantitative factors of the banking industry as a whole and also various factors of the companies itself. In the part of qualitative analysis we have analyze the industry risk, keys to success, diversification factors, firm size, management quality, quality of the financial reporting, performance in the industry. In the quantitative analysis we consider the profitability, cash flow adequacy, capital structure and financial flexibility. We have assigned some points on both the qualitative and quantitative information to get the exact rating. As for the sustainability of an organization both the quality of the management and quantitative figure that means company’s financial performances are equally important. We have assigned more weight for qualitative part than quantitative part. 2.4. Company Background Uttara Bank is one of the largest and oldest private-sector commercial banks in Bangladesh, with years of experience. Adaptation of modern technology both in terms of equipment and banking practice ensures efficient service to clients. 215 branches at home and 600 affiliates worldwide create efficient networking and reach capability. Uttara is a bank that serves both clients and country. The Bank had been a nationalized bank in the name of Uttara Bank under the Bangladesh Bank (Nationalization) order 1972, formerly known as the Eastern Banking Corporation Limited which started functioning on and from 28.01.1965. Consequent upon the amendment of Bangladesh Bank (Nationalization) order 1972, the Uttara Bank was converted into Uttara Bank Limited as a public limited company in the year 1983. The Uttara Bank Limited was incorporated as a banking company on 29.06.1983 and obtained business commencement certificate on 21.08.1983. The Bank floated its shares in the year 1984. It has 215 branches all over Bangladesh through which it carries out all its banking activities. The Bank is listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange and Chittagong Stock Exchange Ltd. as a listed company for trading of its shares. At present, the authorized capital of the bank was Tk 5000 million divided into 500 million shares of Tk 10 each. The issued and paid up capital is Tk 3306 million. Since beginning, the bank acquired confidence and trust of the public and business houses by rendering high quality services in different areas of banking operations, professional competence and employment of the state of art technology. During the last 47 years, UTTARA Bank Limited has opened 215 Branches in different Business Centers of the country SECTION-III: QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS Qualitative analysis A. Industry Risk In preparing credit rating report, industry analysis is a subject of great importance. Level of competition in the industry affect the profitability of a company. Different industries react differently to economic changes. Cyclical industries do much better than the aggregate economy during the expansion whereas they suffer more during contraction. In contrast, non-cyclical industries such as banking industry would experience a significant decline during a recession and also would do better during an economic expansion. Competitive advantage and disadvantage of banking industry can be examined by Michel Porter’s 5 factors model. The potential threat of new entrants is moderate for banking industry due to following reasons – †¢ Growth of the industry is very high which is creating field for the new company that is observed during the past several years. †¢ Huge population of the country provides a large customer base. †¢ Entry into the banking sector requires huge equity capital investment for establishing branches and related infrastructures. †¢ Established companies have absolute cost advantage relative to potential entrants. †¢ There exists Government regulation to enter into the industry. The level of profitability is primarily influenced by the nature of rivalry among firms within the industry. Several factors determine the intensity of competition among existing players in an industry. The rivalry among existing competitors is high for banking industry due to following reasons – †¢ Price and non-price Competition among banks has increased recent years. †¢ High fixed costs. †¢ Exit barriers are high as the firm can’t exit as they wish and there is regulatory burden. †¢ Banks are trying to grab market share by offering various price and non-price products †¢ Banking products are not differentiated and easy to copy by other banks. The third dimension of competition in an industry is the threat of substitute products or services. The threat of substitute product in banking industry is high for the following reasons: †¢ New Products are easily and quickly adopted by other competing banks. †¢ Non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) offer many of products and services offered by banks. There are two factors which determine the bargaining power of buyers; price sensitivity and relative bargaining power of buyers. By focusing these two issues, the bargaining power of buyers in banking industry is discussed below – †¢ There are large numbers of banks. †¢ Banks depend on the buyers for a large percentage of its total revenue. †¢ Customer switching cost is low. †¢ Inability to backward integration. †¢ Buyers are highly price sensitive. The bargaining power of suppliers is high for banking industry due to following reasons †¢ Banks depend on loan and deposits as their primary products. †¢ There are a large number of banks already operating in the country. Assigned Rating: |Rating |Rating Score | |Industry Risk |7.5 | B. Key to success Factors ⠝â€" Strategic focus Uttara Bank has prioritized the areas depending upon the business need and regulatory requirements with the change in technologies and delivery process. The Bank rendered special focus on growth and expansion to comply with the changing characteristics of capital market. As a result of this, â€Å"UB Capital and Investment Limited† a fully owned subsidiary company has been formed in 2010 to carry out merchant banking operation in compliance with the regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the meanwhile the company is operating its activities in related field. Resource mobilization was centered round delivery channels, technology, people and brand. Bank’s operation has achieved the confidence of its customers with sound fundamentals in respect of deposit accumulation, loans and advances, export-import business, remittance collecting from abroad and profitability. The Bank has also put special emphasized on SME financing considering the sector as a tool of diversifying portfolio to minimize risk. Again the bank has also rendering its services in Women Empowerment Development Scheme, Agricultural sector and Rural Financing sector. ⠝â€" Corporate Credit Uttara Bank’s business is focused to a considerable extent on the corporate clients by maintaining a relationship and extending financial assistance based on a deep understanding of the clients’ business environments, financial needs and internal strategies for growth. The bank extends its financial support to the corporate clients either from own finance or by arranging syndicated/club finance. The investment in corporate sector is the combination of a mixed and balanced allocation in various natures of business based on the socio-economic perspectives and long term planning. The bank distributed Tk. 2774.1 million as funded and non-funded facilities in Syndication Finance. The outstanding balance of same was as on 31.12.2011 was Tk. 1596.2 million. The Bank participated in syndication finance with 21 companies. Some of them were BSRM Steels Ltd., Pacific Telecom Bangladesh Tel Ltd.(Citicell), Ranks Tel Ltd., Samuda Chemical Complex Ltd., Banga Building Materials Ltd., Pran Foods Ltd., Capital Board Mills Ltd., Creative Paper Mills Ltd., Everest Power Generation Company Ltd., Appolo Ispat Complex Ltd., PHP Float Glass Ind. Ltd., Dhaka Telephone Co. Ltd. (DTCL), Tele Barta Ltd.(TBL), Orascom Telecom Bangladesh Ltd. (Banglalink), Venture Capital Energy Ltd and many other reputed organization. The Bank worked as a participating financial institution in syndication finance. ⠝â€" Branch Network As on 31 December 2011, Uttara Bank Ltd had 211 branches in different geographical locations of the country. Branches are classified under different zonal office. Out of these 211 branches, 23 branches are under Dhaka Central Zone, 23 branches are under Dhaka North Zone, 20 branches are under Dhaka South Zone, 13 branches are under Narayangonj Zone, 08 branches are under Mymensingh Zone, 17 branches are under Camilla Zone, 19 branches are under Chittagong Zone, 21 branches are under Sylhet Zone, 16 branches are under Khulna Zone, 18 branches are under Barisal Zone, 12 branches are under Rajshahi Zone and 19 branches are under Bogra Zone. ⠝â€" Technology As one of the oldest commercial banks in the country, Uttara Bank uses latest information and communication technology. The extensive use of ICT in banking operations is increasingly a matter of concern about the risk associated with information technology. The bank has formulated well defined ICT policy in line with the international best practices and prudential guidelines of Bangladesh Bank on ICT Security. In all branches of the bank, banking operations are conducted through computerized system to minimize cost and to optimize benefits and increase overall efficiency for improved services. The branches have ability to prepare the financial statements at the end of the day. Bank has a guideline named â€Å"Guideline on information and Communication Technology (ICT)† as per Bangladesh Bank BRPD circular 14 dated 23.10.05. The bank has signed an agreement with LEADS Corporation limited, Software Company, for implementation of Core Banking Solution â€Å"Bank Ultimas† in the Bank. The Bank continues maintenance of the latest financial service products REUTERS-3000 Xtra and REUTERS Dealing System (RDS) for collecting accurate information of rapid changing position of international money market with Bank’s own independent Dealing Room. As a result the Bank has been able to render Treasury service up to the international standard through its Treasury Division which is equipped with most modern technology and expertise manpower. At present International Division of Head Office and 38 branches are under SWIFT operation. As a result the bank has been able to conduct international trade including transmission of letter of credit, fund and message instantly throughout the world at low cost. ⠝â€" Human Resource The Bank has always recognizes the contributions of its human resources as they individually and collectively render their force to the achievement of the objectives of the organization. Human Resources Division of UBL worked with the business as the core strategic partner through performing the job of recruitment, training, placement, and through introduction of the performance management tools. UBL is an employer of equal opportunity irrespective of gender equality. The total manpower of the Bank as on 31 December, 2011 is 3,780 out of which 2,687 are officers and 1,093 are the supporting staffs. Efforts have been made to rationalize the use of manpower by improving their efficiency and productivity. The Bank’s own Training Institute is nicely decorated and equipped with the sophisticated instruments has been striving to bring about a qualitative change and improvement in human resources of the Bank by imparting continuous different raining throughout the whole year. Guest speakers specialized in Banking participate in each of the training program excluding highly educated faculty members of the bank. Besides, a number of executives and officers were sent to various Training Institutions including BIBM and abroad for higher training. In 2011, the training institute of the bank arranged 17 different training courses and 13 workshops for the officers and members of the staff of the Bank in which as many as 628 and 845 officers and members of the staff of the bank participated respectively. At the same time, 92 officers and members of the staff of the bank attended training courses arranged by BIBM, 44 officers received training from Bangladesh Bank, 22 officers received others and 2 executive received training from abroad.