The key to future success in the banking industry lies in focus and goal orientation, as well as in risk management. Despite deregulation, banks can no longer afford to offer all products to every customer they can reach, in accordance with the legislation. The successful financial institutions will increasingly be those that: - develop concentrated, targeted strategies, - reduce their overhead costs, - skillfully leverage their advantages, - know how to calculate their risks. This will lead to banks appearing less similar than in the past and exhibiting an even greater range of services than is currently the case. To identify the winners, a thorough analysis of the product lines of each individual financial institution and the strategies pursued by management is required. Key criteria include the ability to achieve positive results and risk awareness. In March 1989, The Economist aptly noted: "The consensus that has defined and shaped banking is breaking apart. Commercial banks... are already ranking themselves by profitability, particularly by return on equity, and not just by size. They will increasingly withdraw from activities that do not yield the appropriate returns." This is indeed the direction to take. Another important trend is risk control.