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Bank performance in Europe and the US: A divergence in market-to-book ratios

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  • Simoens, Mathieu
  • Vennet, Rudi Vander

Abstract

In the 2007–2017 period, the market-to-book ratios of European and US banks diverged markedly. We use panel regressions to investigate the determinants of M/B ratios for 112 European and US banks. We show that higher US valuations were driven by profitability and cost efficiency. The underperformance in Europe was associated with declines in the net interest margin and low policy rates, as well as with inadequate resolution of non-performing loans and an increasing share of deposits. Our results stress the importance of provisioning and NPL resolution in Europe. Moreover, low-for-long policy rates may be detrimental for bank franchise values.

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  • Simoens, Mathieu & Vennet, Rudi Vander, 2021. "Bank performance in Europe and the US: A divergence in market-to-book ratios," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:40:y:2021:i:c:s1544612319313509
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2020.101672
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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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