A comparison of product elimination success factors in the UK banking, building society and insurance sectors

Abstract

This paper examines product elimination in the UK's financial services sector. Specifically it considers how success is defined and measured. The literature explains that in financial services the ability to fully eliminate a product is difficult due to contractual and legislative barriers. This has resulted in the use of two forms of elimination – partial and full. An empirical study of retail banks, building societies and insurance organisations was undertaken. It was identified that success is defined by the specific objectives used in implementing either of these strategies. The study identified that success was measured by the extent to which product removal was achieved in line with the set objectives of elimination, and how removal resulted in performance gains for other business activities