Banco Comercial Português in 2002 (B): Frontiers Nearer Home

This study of Banco Comercial Português (“BCP”) raises broad issues relating to strategy by growth and acquisition and how market leadership can best be created and extended at home or abroad. The authors trace the history of the bank from a much-admired startup to becoming the largest publicly listed Portuguese financial institution and an up-and-coming player in other European retail banking markets.

This case opens opportunities for class discussion on: • The drivers for internationalisation. • Entry modes in foreign markets. • The internationalisation process. • Organisational structures and blueprints. • Managing the implementation process.