Bank Merger

Prompt

Bank A and Bank B are negotiating to merge their check processing facilities.

Check processing consists of all the steps required to process a check received in any bank branch, from collecting all the checks in all the bank branches and sorting them through making the necessary balance adjustments to the accounts involved and filing them away.

You were hired to analyze this merger. How would you to analyze this merger?

Case Study Overview

In this BCG case study, it’s up to you to give your client a solid recommendation about the possibility of merging check processing activities with another bank.

The Profitability Framework is a great place to start to solve this case, but the best candidates combine frameworks and their own business knowledge to create a structure unique to the specific problem.

There are no math exhibits in this case. The qualitative difficulty is 2 out of 4, making this an entry-level case interview typical for a first round BCG interview.

BCG Interview Tips

BCG is looking for candidates that bring two things to the table: a clear structure and the ability to articulate that structure.

When going through the case, make sure that your structure is crystal-clear in your mind, and that you verbalize each step of the process. Make the focus of your presentation how you arrived at the answer, as opposed to the answer itself.

To get the most out of this case, time yourself. Spend 4 minutes to build and present your structure, 5 minutes for math, 2 minutes for brainstorming, and 2 minutes for a final recommendation.

Also, focus on identifying one key takeaway that you can work on for next time.

Book an hour with an ex-MBB coach for out-loud case practice with an expert.