Use of Computer-Based Simulation Cases for Education Programs in Financial Institutions

The success of large and small financial institutions depends on sound asset/liability management. Although there is not substitute for proven expertise, management skills can be greatly enhanced by educational programs that offer computer-based simulation education for each type of financial institution. A computer-based simulation case provides participants with the opportunity to quickly understand the operation of a financial institution. Moreover, the participants can identify and define the relationships that exist between the various types of financial institutions. This article describes a commercial bank model simulation case that has been successfully used in conjunction with financial education programs provided by commercial banks, university banking schools, public accounting firms, and financial planning workshops. In addition, the first round results of the National Asset/Liability Management Competition (NALMC) jointly sponsored by Olson Associates and the University of Maryland business school foundation are presented. NALMC illustrates how the computer-based simulation case reacts to a wide variety of decisions made by participants following their selection of unique strategies designed to achieve the goals and objectives established by the bank management team. The team results demonstrate how the simulation cases educate participants concerning the impact of their financial decisions on the goal attainment of their respective banks.Finally, the experience of using the simulation cases in specific S&Ls and credit union educational programs is described and illustrated