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Demographic change and bank profitability: empirical evidence from German savings banks

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  • Michael Berlemann
  • Marco Oestmann
  • Marcel Thum

Abstract

Most European economies will experience significant demographic changes in the decades ahead. Due to low birth rates, populations are shrinking and ageing at the same time. This article explores the impact of demographic change on the banking industry. A unique data set, which contains detailed information on almost 2.5 million accounts in 11 German savings banks, allows us estimating the socio-demographic determinants of retail profitability. Using a simulation model, we predict the development of bank profitability resulting from demographic shifts through 2025. Our central finding is that the effects of population ageing will partially offset the impact of shrinking customer bases. While the decline in the size of the population reduces the customer base, ageing increases profitability per se , as older customers typically generate higher profits for their banks.

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  • Michael Berlemann & Marco Oestmann & Marcel Thum, 2014. "Demographic change and bank profitability: empirical evidence from German savings banks," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(1), pages 79-94, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:46:y:2014:i:1:p:79-94
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2013.829262
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    Cited by:

    1. Claudia Gabriela BAICU & Luise MLADEN & Diana CRĂCIUNAȘ, 2017. "Considerations regarding ageing impact on banking system – challenges, strategies," International Conference on Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Spiru Haret University, vol. 4(1), pages 42-48, October.
    2. Wen-Yi Chen, 2017. "Demographic structure and monetary policy effectiveness: evidence from Taiwan," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(6), pages 2521-2544, November.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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