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Bank performance before and during the COVID-19 crisis: Does efficiency play a role?

Author

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  • Miroslav Mateev

    (Abu Dhabi School of Management)

  • Ahmad Sahyouni

    (Damascus University)

  • Turki Masaeid

    (Abu Dhabi School of Management)

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effect of efficiency and banking market structure on bank performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The relationship between efficiency and bank performance in the countries in the MENA region during the COVID-19 outbreak has not been examined. We use data for 225 banks in 18 MENA countries and find that bank performance strongly depends on the efficiency level and market power of banks. Furthermore, we investigate whether efficiency and market competition effects are significantly different between the two banking systems (Islamic and conventional). Our results indicate that efficiency and competition have a greater influence on the profitability level of conventional than Islamic banks. However, the efficiency impact is only marginally significant during the COVID-19 outbreak. Overall, our results suggest that managing a higher efficiency level leads to improved financial stability but, at the same time, increases the bank's appetite for taking higher risks. These findings deepen the existing notion that efficient banks are more resilient during global financial crises and emphasize the importance of bank regulatory reforms that boost efficiency in standing against the negative consequences of the recent (COVID-19) crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Miroslav Mateev & Ahmad Sahyouni & Turki Masaeid, 2024. "Bank performance before and during the COVID-19 crisis: Does efficiency play a role?," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 29-82, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:18:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s11846-022-00611-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-022-00611-y
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Global (COVID-19) crisis; Efficiency; Market power; Profitability; Bank risk;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D40 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - General
    • 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
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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