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Determinants of Bank Interest Margins in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Mr. Calixte Ahokpossi

Abstract

Financial intermediation is low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) compared to other regions of the world. This paper examines the determinants of bank interest margins using a sample of 456 banks in 41 SSA countries. The results show that market concentration is positively associated with interest margins, but the impact depends on the level of efficiency of each bank. In particular, compared to inefficient banks, efficient ones increase their margins more in concentrated markets. This indicates that policies that promote competition and reduce market concentration would help lower interest margins in SSA. The results also show that bank-specific factors such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and bank equity are important determinants of interest margins. Finally, interest margins are sensitive to inflation, but not to economic growth or public or foreign ownership. There are regional differences within SSA regarding the level of interest margins even after controlling for other factors.

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  • Mr. Calixte Ahokpossi, 2013. "Determinants of Bank Interest Margins in Sub-Saharan Africa," IMF Working Papers 2013/034, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2013/034
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    5. Benedicte Vibe Christensen, 2014. "Financial integration in Africa: implications for monetary policy and financial stability," BIS Papers chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), The role of central banks in macroeconomic and financial stability, volume 76, pages 11-28, Bank for International Settlements.
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    8. Simplice A. Asongu & Sara Le Roux & Vanessa S. Tchamyou, 2019. "Essential information sharing thresholds for reducing market power in financial access: a study of the African banking industry," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(1), pages 34-50, March.
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    20. de Moraes, Claudio & Galvis-Ciro, Juan Camilo & Gargalhone, Micheli, 2021. "Financial access and interest rate spread: An international assessment," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
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    22. Akande Joseph Olorunfemi & Kwenda Farai, 2017. "Competitive Condition of Sub-Saharan Africa Commercial Banks," Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Oeconomica, Sciendo, vol. 62(2), pages 55-76, August.
    23. Faris Nasif Al Shubiri & Syed Ahsan Jamil, 2017. "Assessing the Determinants of Interest Rate Spread of Commercial Banks in Oman: An Empirical Investigation," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2A), pages 90-108.

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