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The aim of this study is twofold: first, to investigate bank selection criteria among undergraduate students in the Uni- versity of Ghana, and second, to relate this study with previous findings on the same phenomenon. Extant studies have adopted mainly quantitative approach. In order to bridge this gap and contribute to existing knowledge, qualitatively inspired research design was adopted, thus facilitating in-depth understanding of the determinants of bank selection. Findings show that convenience, bank staff-customer relations and banking services/financial benefits are the first three most important determining factors. Furthermore, happiness, joyfulness, cheerfulness and delight are feelings derived after a banking service; whiles sadness, anger and deceit are avoided. Studies on the bank selection criteria employed by undergraduates are scanty in West Africa, and this study makes a contribution in that direction. Future studies will con- tinue from this one

The purpose of this study is to investigate bank selection criteria among students at the Institute of Professional Studies, Ghana. Extant literature has employed mainly quantitative approach. In order to contribute to existing knowledge, qualitative research design was adopted using the Analytical Hierarchy Process which demands that the decision problem is structured into a three level hierarchy, thus ensuring in-depth appreciation of the factors determining bank selection. The findings indicate that undergraduates in IPS place high emphasis on the convenience, customer service, and speed dimensions of bank services. Studies focusing on undergraduates’ bank selection in developing countries context are limited. This study will make important contribution in helping bridge the gap but more importantly provide information on the importance of the selection criteria.

In the contemporary business milieu and “era of customer”, delivering quality service is a sine qua non in ongoing strategy of most business firms and constitutes integral ingredient for success and survival in present day´s competitive environment. This study investigates the role that service quality plays in the Ghanaian banking sector and its impact on service delivery. A sample of 400 customers encompasses four major indigenous and foreign banks. SERVQUAL dimensions of service quality were used to structure the questionnaire. William L. Boyd, Myron Leonard, and Charles White’s Standard Instrument for weighting of rating of service quality attributes was the sampling procedure adopted. Data collected was analyzed using one sample T- test of the mean weighted differences between perception and expectation of customers. This, in an attempt to determine whether there is a significant gap between expectation and perception at 5% level of significance. Empirical findings from this study show that gaps exist between customers’ expectations and perceptions of service delivery in all the banks even though the banks performed better on the tangibility dimension. Despite this observation, the banks retained their customers. This study, therefore, concludes that where a gap exists between customer expectation and perception of service delivery, service quality is perceived as low and customer dissatisfaction results. However, dissatisfied customers did not necessarily defect. The study therefore confirms the theory that service quality is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for maintaining strong relationship with customers.

Service quality in the delivery of banking services is considered as giving firms’ a competitive edge and increasingly it is becoming a critical success factor. This research investigates the role that service quality plays in the Ghanaian banking sector and its impact on service delivery. A sample of 400 customers was taken from a combination of four leading indigenous and foreign banks and questionnaires administered to them based on the SERVQUAL dimensions. Using the William L. Boyd, Myron Leonard, and Charles White’s Standard Instrument for weighting of rating of service quality, results indicated that gaps exist between customers’ expectations and perceptions of service delivery in all the banks even though the banks performed better on the tangibility dimension. Despite this observation, the banks retained their customers. The study concluded that service quality is necessary but not a sufficient condition to maintain customers.