The book contains a comprehensive review of all aspects of credit control, and repeatedly argues that credit control is most important in boom times; the mistakes we make then are the ones that come home to roost in a recession. It stresses the crucial need for analysis of all facilities, especially secured facilities; the importance of monitoring, and of structuring, while the borrower is still healthy.

Four main sections deal with: analysis, presentation and decision; monitoring; structure; and damage limitation. A fifth contains chapters on training, computers and return on equity.

1. The book recognises that banks vary in size, number of branches, types of client and business strategy. It discusses the impact this may have on the way they manage credit control, the implications for staffing, training, investment in systems and other factors. It suggests some strong principles which apply regardless of the other differences.