IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/jbkreg/v26y2025i3d10.1057_s41261-025-00269-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Operationalization of the construct “Business model of a Bank”: clustering analyses with deep neural networks

Author

Listed:
  • Manfred Herdt

    (Brandenburg University of Technology)

  • Hermann Schulte-Mattler

    (Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts)

Abstract

This paper presents a framework to operationalize the multidimensional construct of a bank’s business model (BBM). We conceptualize the construct from a structural perspective, defining it as its balance sheet’s strategic composition and structure, encompassing asset allocation and funding sources. In contrast to prior research, our study describes the strategic decisions made by bank management as the starting point for the analysis, excluding the results of entrepreneurial activity from the construct’s conceptualization. We analyze balance sheet data for 163 European SSM banks and their subsidiaries—which we call SSM institutions—from 2014 to 2023, sourced from the S&P MI platform’s SNL Financial Institutions database. The study focuses on six balance sheet positions—three from the asset and three from the liability side—expressed as ratios to total assets. We apply a deep autoencoder-based clustering (DAC) model to operationalize the construct and compare the results with the k-means and k-medoids approach. Our empirical analyses identify four BBMs: diversified retail, non-diversified retail, wholesale, and investment-oriented banking. The DAC model leverages the nonlinear capabilities of deep learning, outperforming traditional clustering methods. This paper contributes to the literature on BBMs on a theoretical and technical level. Theoretically, a methodology for operationalizing the construct of a BBM is presented, which can be used to conduct cause-effect analyses. Technically, advanced clustering techniques, including deep learning models, are used to improve classification accuracy and provide new insights into the diversity of banks. The approach presented in this study offers valuable applications for both academics and practitioners in analyzing the impact of BBMs on other constructs, such as performance. Policymakers can leverage this framework to evaluate and guide the development of resilient business models.

Suggested Citation

  • Manfred Herdt & Hermann Schulte-Mattler, 2025. "Operationalization of the construct “Business model of a Bank”: clustering analyses with deep neural networks," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(3), pages 392-407, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jbkreg:v:26:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1057_s41261-025-00269-y
    DOI: 10.1057/s41261-025-00269-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41261-025-00269-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41261-025-00269-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. R. E. Caves & M. E. Porter, 1977. "From Entry Barriers to Mobility Barriers: Conjectural Decisions and Contrived Deterrence to New Competition," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 91(2), pages 241-261.
    2. André Lucas & Julia Schaumburg & Bernd Schwaab, 2019. "Bank Business Models at Zero Interest Rates," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 542-555, July.
    3. Diamond, Douglas W & Dybvig, Philip H, 1986. "Banking Theory, Deposit Insurance, and Bank Regulation," The Journal of Business, University of Chicago Press, vol. 59(1), pages 55-68, January.
    4. Herdt, Manfred & Schulte-Mattler, Hermann, 2022. "On the predictability of long-term stock market returns: Design configuration of deep neural networks," Journal of AI, Robotics & Workplace Automation, Henry Stewart Publications, vol. 2(1), pages 70-93, September.
    5. Heider, Florian & Hoerova, Marie & Holthausen, Cornelia, 2015. "Liquidity hoarding and interbank market rates: The role of counterparty risk," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(2), pages 336-354.
    6. Neisen, Martin & Schulte-Mattler, Hermann, 2022. "CRR III implementation: Impact on capital requirements, performance and business models of European banks," Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Henry Stewart Publications, vol. 15(4), pages 338-361, October.
    7. Hryckiewicz, Aneta & Kozłowski, Łukasz, 2017. "Banking business models and the nature of financial crisis," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 1-24.
    8. Neisen, Martin & Schulte-Mattler, Hermann, 2021. "Eliminating the negative impacts of the Basel IV output floor by adjusting a bank’s business model," Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Henry Stewart Publications, vol. 14(3), pages 256-267, June.
    9. Mergaerts, Frederik & Vander Vennet, Rudi, 2016. "Business models and bank performance: A long-term perspective," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 57-75.
    10. David Grossmann & Peter Scholz, 2019. "The golden rule of banking: funding cost risks of bank business models," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(2), pages 174-196, June.
    11. Ayadi, Rym & De Groen, Willem Pieter, 2014. "Banking Business Models Monitor 2014: Europe," CEPS Papers 9713, Centre for European Policy Studies.
    12. Neisen, Martin & Schulte-Mattler, Hermann, 2020. "CRD V/CRR II: A comprehensive synopsis of the first European step towards implementing Basel IV (Part II)," Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Henry Stewart Publications, vol. 13(3), pages 224-241, June.
    13. Caves, Richard E & Porter, Michael E, 1978. "Market Structure, Oligopoly, and Stability of Market Shares," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 289-313, June.
    14. Rungporn Roengpitya & Nikola Tarashev & Kostas Tsatsaronis, 2014. "Bank business models," BIS Quarterly Review, Bank for International Settlements, December.
    15. King, Michael R., 2013. "The Basel III Net Stable Funding Ratio and bank net interest margins," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(11), pages 4144-4156.
    16. Martín-Oliver, Alfredo & Ruano, Sonia & Salas-Fumás, Vicente, 2017. "The fall of Spanish cajas: Lessons of ownership and governance for banks," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 244-260.
    17. Martin Neisen & Hermann Schulte-Mattler, 2021. "The effectiveness of IFRS 9 transitional provisions in limiting the potential impact of COVID-19 on banks," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(4), pages 342-351, December.
    18. Neisen, Martin & Schulte-Mattler, Hermann, 2020. "CRD V/CRR II: A comprehensive synopsis of the first European step towards implementing Basel IV (Part I)," Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Henry Stewart Publications, vol. 13(2), pages 114-125, March.
    19. Amel, Dean F & Rhoades, Stephen A, 1988. "Strategic Groups in Banking," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 70(4), pages 685-689, November.
    20. Farnè, Matteo & Vouldis, Angelos, 2017. "Business models of the banks in the euro area," Working Paper Series 2070, European Central Bank.
    21. Porter, Michael E, 1979. "The Structure within Industries and Companies' Performance," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 61(2), pages 214-227, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bolívar, Fernando & Duran, Miguel A. & Lozano-Vivas, Ana, 2023. "Business model contributions to bank profit performance: A machine learning approach," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    2. Bernardo P. Marques & Carlos F. Alves, 2020. "Using clustering ensemble to identify banking business models," Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(2), pages 66-94, April.
    3. Matteo Farnè & Angelos T. Vouldis, 2021. "Banks’ business models in the euro area: a cluster analysis in high dimensions," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 305(1), pages 23-57, October.
    4. Badunenko, Oleg & Kumbhakar, Subal C. & Lozano‐Vivas, Ana, 2021. "Achieving a sustainable cost-efficient business model in banking: The case of European commercial banks," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 293(2), pages 773-785.
    5. David Grossmann & Peter Scholz, 2019. "The golden rule of banking: funding cost risks of bank business models," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(2), pages 174-196, June.
    6. Matteo Farnè & Angelos T. Vouldis, 2020. "Does a bank's business model affect its capital and profitability?," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 49(2), July.
    7. Roberto Savona, 2022. "Bank business models, negative policy rates, and prudential regulation," Annals of Finance, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 355-392, September.
    8. Valeria Venturelli & Andrea Landi & Riccardo Ferretti & Stefano Cosma & Elisabetta Gualandri, 2021. "How does the financial market evaluate business models? Evidence from European banks," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 50(2), July.
    9. Hałaj, Grzegorz & Żochowski, Dawid, 2006. "Strategic groups in Polish banking sector and financial stability," MPRA Paper 326, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Stieglitz, Moritz & Wagner, Konstantin, 2020. "Marginal returns to talent for material risk takers in banking," IWH Discussion Papers 20/2020, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH).
    11. Ulrich Krüger & Christoph Roling & Leonid Silbermann & Lui-Hsian Wong, 2025. "Bank’s strategic interaction, adverse price dynamics and systemic liquidity risk," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(1), pages 1-24, March.
    12. Mergaerts, Frederik & Vander Vennet, Rudi, 2016. "Business models and bank performance: A long-term perspective," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 57-75.
    13. Paul Ovidiu Handro, 2019. "Business Models and Banking Regulation Are Going Forward," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 168-178.
    14. Andrea Flori & Simone Giansante & Claudia Girardone & Fabio Pammolli, 2021. "Banks’ business strategies on the edge of distress," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 299(1), pages 481-530, April.
    15. Farnè, Matteo & Vouldis, Angelos, 2024. "Do retail-oriented banks have less non-performing loans?," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 29(C).
    16. repec:ers:journl:v:xxiv:y:2021:i:2b:p:371-382 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Luigi Infante & Stefano Piermattei & Raffaele Santioni & Bianca Sorvillo, 2020. "Diversifying away risks through derivatives: an analysis of the Italian banking system," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 37(2), pages 621-657, July.
    18. Bernardo P. Marques & Carlos F. Alves, 2024. "Heterogeneity of business models and banking sector resilience," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 25(3), pages 256-271, September.
    19. Stefano Cosma & Riccardo Ferretti & Elisabetta Gualandri & Andrea Landi & Valeria Venturelli, 2017. "How Does Financial Market Evaluate Business Models? Evidence From European Banks," Centro Studi di Banca e Finanza (CEFIN) (Center for Studies in Banking and Finance) 17105, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Economia "Marco Biagi".
    20. Elien Meuleman & Rudi Vander Vennet, 2022. "Macroprudential Policy, Monetary Policy, and Euro Zone Bank Risk," International Journal of Central Banking, International Journal of Central Banking, vol. 18(4), pages 1-52, October.
    21. Enrique Claver & Jose Molina & Juan Tari, 2003. "Strategic groups and firm performance: the case of Spanish house-building firms," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(4), pages 369-377.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • C45 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Neural Networks and Related Topics
    • N24 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - Europe: 1913-
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies
    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:jbkreg:v:26:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1057_s41261-025-00269-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.