The Nexus among Competition, Risk and Performance in Banking Sector of Saudi Arabia

The determination behind this research paper is to inspect the relation among competition, risk, and financial performance in the Saudi Arabian banking sector for 2011-2019. This paper used Two steps Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) as an estimation technique. This study focused on Lerner Index and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index to gauge bank competition and used three alternative measures for risk, namely credit risk, liquidity risk, and z-score. The coefficients of the Lerner Index and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index are significant and positive with profitability which signifies that higher competition in Saudi Arabian banks led to a decrease in profitability which is explained in the Structural Conduct Performance Hypothesis. Z-score shows a significant positive relationship with profitability. Credit risk has a positive relationship with profitability reveals that risk-adjusted returns are being targeted by risk-averse shareholders trying to gain more profits to compensate for the higher credit risk. The outcome of the study provides a comprehensive framework to the Central bank and other regulatory authorities to introduce micro and macro prudential policies that are aligned to the stability of the financial system.

Competitive Conditions in Nepalese Commercial Banks

This study aims to analyze the competitive conditions of commercial banks in Nepal. Competition is measured through structural and non-structural measures of bank competition. Data were taken from 21 commercial banks of Nepal using pooled sampling method, including five commercial banks based on the highest total assets and sixteen commercial banks using random sampling. Concentration ratio, Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, H-statistic and Lerner Index measures were used to assess the competitive position of Nepalese commercial banks. Panel data regression model with bank fixed effect and time fixed effect was employed to measure H-statistic and Lerner index. Findings showed the increasing pattern of capitalization and the decreasing trend of non-performing loan ratio, indicating that Nepalese commercial banks have a low possibility of loan default and, are more financially stable. It also showed the declining trend of bank concentration and HHI, suggesting that Nepalese commercial banks are losing their monopoly power and becoming more competitive in recent years. Competition in the loan market was found higher than deposit market competition. Banks have to pay special attention to loan portfolio management rather than deposit collection strategies. This study concludes that the competitive condition of Nepalese commercial banks is monopolistic. Therefore, appropriate strategies might be taken into action to sell financial products and services competitively.

Does Market Power Affect Banking Dividend Policy? Evidence from Nepal

We attempt to explain how market power impacts bank dividend payment behaviors in Nepal by taking the sample from the commercial banking sector employing a panel data regression model. Using the Lerner Index (LI), a non-structural measure of market power or lack of competition, we found that market power inversely but statistically insignificantly affect dividend payment. This finding leads us to conclude that market power-a proxy of more or less competition is not an important and influencing factor to the dividend decisions in commercial banking sectors signifying that competition does not seem helpful in mitigating agency conflicts. It is also concluded that banking dividend payouts are not the result of the punitive influence of product market antagonism. Further, among other firm-specific determinants, bank size and leverage significantly positively whereas asset growth significantly negatively affect the dividend decision. However, profitability is found insignificant determinant of dividend payment. The paper enriches and contributes to the literature on banking dividend payout and helps to identify the key factors that affect banking dividend decision-making. Keywords : Banks, Market competition, Market power, Lerner Index, Nepal

Measurement of Competitiveness and Market Concentration of Indonesian Banking Sharia

This study aims: (1) The extent of competitiveness of sharia banking in Indonesia's current economic development; (2) How far the strength of the sharia banking market in Indonesia today. The research conducted to measure the competitiveness of sharia banking in Indonesia and market forces encountered, using the observation period 2010-2016, and the data used is time series and cross section data. The research design used in research is quantitative research, by using model Lerner Index, PR-H Statistics Model, and multiple regression. Based on the results of the study, 1. Using the Lerner index model, for 10 Indonesian sharia banks, especially murabahah products with observation period 2010 - 2016, shows that the competitiveness of Indonesian sharia banks is still very low. The Lerner index for each sharia banks with competitiveness of murabahah products is Bank Mega Sharia, Bank BRI Sharia, Maybank and BSM. As for other sharia banks is still very low; 2. The measurement of market forces using the PR-H Statistics model, murabahah products of Indonesian sharia banks during 2010-2016 fall into the category of the monopolistic competition market. This indicates that, the murabahah product of each sharia banks is basically almost the same, only slightly differentiated by the deficited products in such a way between one bank and another bank; 3. Regression result model of factors affecting competitiveness, only ROA variable that influence to competitiveness, it shows that ROE variable, capitalization and efficiency not become determinant of competitiveness of a bank, especially for murabahah product.

Banking Sector Consolidation and Stability in Kenya

This paper sought to examine the evaluation of competition and stability conditions in the Kenya banking sector amidst adoption various aspects of consolidation. This was achieved by exploring evolution of competition and stability conditions using bank-level and peer-level annual data from 2001 to 2017 for 37 banks. The paper adopted three-step estimation approach; first, estimated two competition measures Lerner Index and Panzar-Rosse H statistics to assess evolution of competition conditions. Secondly, constructed two stability measures Altman Z - Score and Bankometer S - Score to assess evolution of stability conditions. Thirdly, using panel GMM estimators introduced the estimated competition measures as explanatory variables and re-examined stability conditions to evaluate the role of competition in promoting banking sector stability. The study findings indicate competition conditions have increased and can be characterized as monopolistic competition. The banking sector stability conditions are high and sound, though downward trending. Increase in level of competition promotes stability conditions. The paper concludes that, adoption of various aspect of banking sector consolidation has led to improved competition and stability conditions in Kenya. Banking sectors players should continue implementing and adopting various policies that promote competition and stability such as market driven consolidations. JEL classification numbers: G2, G01, G33. Keywords: Bank Stability, Consolidation, Competition, Market Power, Lerner Index, Altman Z-Score, Bankometer S-Score, H-statistics.

Measurement of Competitiveness and Market Concentration of Indonesian Banking Sharia

This study aims: (1) The extent of competitiveness of sharia banking in Indonesia's current economic development; (2) How far the strength of the sharia banking market in Indonesia today. The research conducted to measure the competitiveness of sharia banking in Indonesia and market forces encountered, using the observation period 2010-2016, and the data used is time series and cross section data. The research design used in research is quantitative research, by using model Lerner Index, PR-H Statistics Model, and multiple regression. Based on the results of the study, 1. Using the Lerner index model, for 10 Indonesian sharia banks, especially murabahah products with observation period 2010 - 2016, shows that the competitiveness of Indonesian sharia banks is still very low. The Lerner index for each sharia banks with competitiveness of murabahah products is Bank Mega Sharia, Bank BRI Sharia, Maybank and BSM. As for other sharia banks is still very low; 2. The measurement of market forces using the PR-H Statistics model, murabahah products of Indonesian sharia banks during 2010-2016 fall into the category of the monopolistic competition market. This indicates that, the murabahah product of each sharia banks is basically almost the same, only slightly differentiated by the deficited products in such a way between one bank and another bank; 3. Regression result model of factors affecting competitiveness, only ROA variable that influence to competitiveness, it shows that ROE variable, capitalization and efficiency not become determinant of competitiveness of a bank, especially for murabahah product.

Competition Conditions and Market Power in the Mexican Commercial Banking Market. A Microeconomic Theoretical Approach

This study assesses, from a microeconomic theoretical perspective, competition conditions and market power in the Mexican commercial banking market. Our econometric estimations, using time series, indicate a low price elasticity of demand for bank credit, which, in combination with high market shares and according to the Lerner index, indicates that major banks have elevated market power; the profferedvalues of the Lerner index range between (0.11) and (0.68) for the seven leading banks, (0.00) for small banks, and (0.34) for the weighted average of the entire market. On the other hand, the estimated competition indicators confirm the exercise of market power and the lack of a competitive market, during at least the last decade, resulting in a large fraction of unserved economic agents by commercial banks.

Measurement and Analysis of the Competitiveness of China Commercial Bank’s Loan Market

China’s economy presents a new normal of speed changes, structural optimization, and power conversion. Deepening supply-side reforms and controlling financial risks are two prominent themes of current economic work. With the economic growth slowing down and the financing environment tightening, the credit risk of the banking industry is being exposed more quickly. This article uses a structured method and an unstructured method to measure the competitiveness of China commercial bank credit market. The structured method uses the HHI (Herfindahl–Hirschman Index), and the unstructured method uses the Lerner Index. This article compares the sample banks’ 2008–2015 industry loan total HHI and Lerner Index. The results of HHI and Lerner Index are basically the same, which indicate that the competitiveness of the China commercial bank credit market is generally at a low level. However, the Lerner Index has a clear upward trend after 2014, which indicates the possibility of increased competition in the credit market.

Empirical Measurement of Competition in the Thai Banking Industry

The degree of competition in the banking industry can be observed and measured by two approaches, structural and nonstructural. Based on these two approaches, there are various indicators, which are different factors and methods. This paper aims to provide calculations, determine a good indicator, and assess the competitive environment of the Thai banking industry. Specifically, there are four indicators—concentration ratio, Herfindahl–Hirschman Index, Lerner Index, and Panzar–Rosse H statistic—which are widely used to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of policies in the banking industry. The findings indicate that the Lerner Index, calculated by stochastic frontier analysis, is the most reliable indicator of the banking competition environment in Thailand. It has a range of 0.36 to 0.60 and an average value of 0.40. Furthermore, during the period of study, the degree of Thai banking competition had a tendency to increase over time, which reflects an increase in allocative efficiency of resources in the banking industry. This is in accordance with the Financial Sector Master Plan of the country. However, this result probably leads to instability of the financial system. Therefore, policy-makers should carefully regulate competition policy by considering the systematic risk of the banking system at the same time.