Detailed Analysis of Management Information Systems at Bank of America

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Management Information Systems (MIS) at Bank of America (BofA). It identifies key strengths such as strategic acquisitions, a robust IT infrastructure leveraging cloud computing, and a multilingual online portal catering to a global clientele. Weaknesses include the lack of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems leading to past financial penalties and reactive management strategies. Opportunities for BofA involve attracting investors and vendors, fostering customer growth through mobile applications, and expanding its mobile banking services. The report also highlights significant threats, including data security vulnerabilities related to online operations, phishing attacks, and the risk of shoulder surfing. The analysis is supported by references to relevant academic sources, offering a detailed examination of BofA's strategic position in the financial services industry.

Running Head: MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 1
Management Information Systems
Names
Institution

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Management Information Systems
Strength
One of the strengths associated with BofA (Bank of America) is having a strategic
acquisition which increases its flexibility and speed to react to changes in the banks dynamic
business environment due to the cloud approach. Although BofA operates in a business
environment which is likely to change from time to time, it has implemented a proper IT
infrastructure which can enable it to meet the changes without challenges. According to Janet
(2011), being able to meet the changes that occur and those that are likely to affect business
performance is one of the best ways of ensuring business success. Through using cloud approach
to remain flexible and fast to meet the changes, this bank will remain in operation even when its
competitors close down or realize other challenges.
Having Clients in 140 countries who can access BofA's cash pro online portal in 11
languages is also a strength for this bank. Lisa (2013) affirms that providing customers with a
wider range of experiences is one of the best ways of maintaining their loyalty. Accessing BofA
cash pro online portal which gives customers an option of 11 languages makes this bank to
attract loyal customers who understand different languages. Having a wider range of languages
in its portal will also assist this bank to realize wider market share because people of diverse
linguistic backgrounds will be able to access the services.
According to Lisa (2013), customers are among the essential assets that a company can
have. From this case, BofA has attracted many clients with a growth rate of 50 percent per year.
This is one of the most significant strengths for this company because having many consumers
mean the company has a competitive advantage that will assist it to challenge its rivals

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Having a simple IT infrastructure is also a strength for this bank because it makes it
possible for vendors and customers to understand it. From the case, its management has invested
a larger percentage of its 9 billion dollars annual IT budget on new innovative applications.
Some of the innovations comprise of new versions of customer applications with three features.
Operating businesses based on technology and innovation plays a significant role in reducing
costs and developing products or services that meet customer expectations.
Weaknesses
One of the greatest weaknesses associated with this bank is failing to have enterprise
resource planning (ERP) systems to integrate the functional area IS through a common database
to allow information flow seamlessly across all departments to avoid poor lending practices.
According to Rainer et al (2017), having proper flow of information plays a key role in
identifying decisions that may negatively affect business performance. Lack of integrating ERP
systems made this bank to pay 17 billion dollars to settle mortgage fraud.
The other weakness associated with BofA is that its management is not proactive.
According to Jozef (2017), a proactive management is one which takes actions before something
that is likely to affect business performance happens. For the case of BofA, its management is
reactive because it took the decision of implementing proper IT infrastructure after the 2007-
2008 financial crisis had already impacted its performance.
Opportunities
By having good IT infrastructure, this bank has the potential of attracting many investors
and vendors. According to Janet (2011), stakeholders like being associated with companies that
show high chances of business growth. Because BofA has implemented IT infrastructure that

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minimizes the risks of collapsing due to challenges that may arise in future, there is a possibility
that it will be able to attract many shareholders as well as vendors.
BofA is also likely to realize better performance and competitive advantage because of
attracting more customers. After implementing the new IT infrastructure, the bank has been
realizing 50 percent customer growth rate per year due to a positive experience and data security.
This means as time goes on, it will have attracted many customers than its competitors, and will,
therefore, realize great success.
With increase in consumers ability to use mobile applications in the recent decade, this
bank has the possibility to link with many customers in different segments. The use of mobile
Apps and cloud computing approach will enable this bank to thrive in its mobile banking
business by enabling the customers to access the services on a 24 hour basis.
Threats
According to Rainer et al (2017), use of technology to conduct business come with
security threats. When implementing its IT infrastructure its management did not consider using
various security mechanisms such as antiviruses and anti-spyware. This means its data is prone
to viruses and spyware. According to Rainer et al (2017), companies that operate using online
strategy are never secure when it comes to their confidential user data because it can be accessed
through phishing attacks. This means third parties can use various mechanisms such as logic
bombs to make changes in the programs, hence affecting confidential information.
The bank is also faced by the threat of shoulder surfing. When implementing its IT
infrastructure, especially in regard to the use of Mobile applications, its management did not

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consider implementing security features that would prevent should surfing such as advanced BW
(Black & white) and session key method through changing the keyboard layout.

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References
Janet, K. J. (2011). The Financial Meltdown of 2008 and the Government's Intervention: Much
Needed Relief or Major Erosion of American Corporate Law? The Continuing Story of
Bank of America, Citigroup, and General Motors* St. John's Law Review, 85(1), 54-68.
Jozef, B. (2017). Security of Smart Banking Applications in Slovakia. Journal of Theoretical
and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 12(1), 98-112.
Lisa, V. (2013). Mobile Banking: Seven Keys for Success. ABA Banking Journal, 105(3), 124-
138.
Rainer, K. R., Prince, B & Watson, H. J. (2017). Management Information Systems. Hoboken:
John Wiley & sons