Macquarie Bank has been recognised as one of the most prestigious banks in Australia and around the world. Macquarie was established in Australia in 1969, it began operations in Sydney in January 1970 with only three staff. Macquarie Bank first opened its doors for business on 1 March 1985 with a retail branch in Sydney.
Today, Macquarie Bank operates in a range of investment banking, commercial banking and selected retail financial services markets both in Australia and overseas. It is the only substantial, majority Australian owned investment bank and is a licensed trading bank under the Australian Banking Act 1959 (Macquarie History, 2007).
Macquarie Bank has been consistently associated with a stream of major financial innovations, which have underpinned its reputation as a market leader. Their main focus that has helped them in their success is their risk management department as well as their focus on select markets on which they enter. The Macquarie culture is represented by the way in which they work together. The values to which they aspire can be summarised in six principles: integrity, client commitment, strive for profitability, fulfilment for our people, teamwork, and highest standards. Macquarie Bank’s commitment to the six principles is vital for continued growth and prosperity (Macquarie, About Macquarie, 2007)
Operating Environment: The Macro Environment
Political and legal forces
Political and legal forces hold a great impact on all industries that wish to operate legally within a country. Regulatory groups are required within the banking industry to assist in the stable operation of a nation. A major regulator would be The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Various other major political and legal forces which solely influence the banking industry include The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA), The Australian Securities and Investments commission (ASIC) and The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).
APRA was
References: Australian Bankers Association, (2007), ‘The Australian Bankers’ Association’s role,’ (online) http://www.bankers.asn.au/default.aspx?FolderID=2 (Accessed 13th September 2007) Australia Competition and Consumer Commission, (2007), ‘Role and Activities,’ (online) http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/54137/fromItemId/3744 (Accessed 13th September 2007) Australia’s Free Trade Agreement, (2007), ‘Benefits of Free Trade Agreements for Australia,’ (online) http://www.fta.gov.au/default.aspx?FolderID=239&ArticleID=187 (Accessed 13th September 2007) Australia Prudential Regulation Authority, (2007), ‘Streamlined data collection for life companies and friendly societies,’ (online) http://www.apra.gov.au/media-releases/07_15.cfm (Accessed 13th September 2007) Australian Securities and Investment Commission, (2007), ‘ASIC at a Glance,’ (online) http://www.asic.gov.au/asic/ASIC.NSF/byHeadline/ASIC%20at%20a%20glance (Accessed 13th September 2007) Bendigo Bank, (2007), ‘Corporate Governance,’ (online) http://www.bendigobank.com.au/public/about_us/corporate_governance/corporate_governance.asp (Accessed 13th September 2007) Chen, T, (1999), Critical Success Factors for Various Strategies in the Banking Industry, vol 17 issue 2/3. Commonwealth Bank, (2007), ‘Company Profile,’ (online) http://about.commbank.com.au/group_display/0,1922,CH2047,00.html (Accessed 13th September 2007) Dubrin, Dalglish Miller, (2003), Leadership, 2nd edition, John Wiley and Sons, Australia Hill, Jones, Galvin, Haidar, (2004), Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach 2nd edition, John Wiley and Sons, Australia Investopedia, (2007), ‘Debt-Equity Ratio,’ (online) http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/debtequityratio.asp (Accessed 17th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘About Macquarie Bank,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/index.html (Accessed 10th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘Corporate Governance,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/corporate_governance.htm (Accessed 8th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘Financial Report 2007,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/acrobat/financialreport2007.pdf (Accessed 11th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘History of Macquarie Bank,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/company_profile/history.htm (Accessed 10th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘Macquarie Bank 2007 Annual review,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/acrobat/annualreview2007.pdf (Accessed 11th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘Macquarie Bank announces 60% increase in profit and 47% increase in dividends per share,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/media_centre/200705015a.htm (Accessed 17th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘Major Seven Major Business Groups,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/company_profile/mgmt_organisation/six_groups.htm (Accessed 11th September 2007) Macquarie Bank, (2007), ‘Management and Organisation Structure,’ (online) http://www.macquarie.com.au/au/about_macquarie/company_profile/mgmt_organisation.htm (Accessed 16th September 2007) Reserve Bank of Australia, (2007), ‘Structure and Functions of the RBA,’ (online) http://www.rba.gov.au/ActionPlan/index.html (Accessed 13th September 2007) Appendices