Determinants of Liquidity Risk in the Commercial Banks in Bangladesh

The study examines the bank-specific and external factors that affect the liquidity risk in commercial banks in Bangladesh. The study has been conducted using 23 banks data from 2005-2018, and panel data is used to conduct the regression analysis. Among the bank-specific factors, asset size has a negative relationship with liquidity risk. The larger the bank size, the better the liquidity position and the lower the liquidity risk. Return on equity and capital adequacy ratio has a positive but insignificant relationship with the liquidity risks. In the case of macroeconomic factors, inflation negatively affects the liquidity risks, whereas GDP and domestic credit positively affect. Private and public sector credits increase the investments, which in turn fuel GDP growth. Growth in domestic credit reduces liquidity and may create insolvency. The loan outstanding to asset ratio is positively related to the liquidity risk of the banks. Banks usually increase the loan/advance disbursement to increase profitability, which dries out liquidity and enhances liquidity risk. The study concludes that although several factors are found insignificant yet have positive/negative relation, the banks must carefully evaluate the factors to avoid a future liquidity crisis.