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The Impact of Institutions on Bank Governance and Stability: Evidence from African Countries

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  • Samuel Mutarindwa
  • Dorothea Schäfer
  • Andreas Stephan

Abstract

This paper sheds new light on how African countries’ legal systems and institutions influence the governance and stability of their banks. We find that institutional factors, in particular the legal family of origin, political stability, contract enforcement and strength of investor protection promote central corporate governance reforms. Using a difference-in-difference approach, we also reveal that those reforms mediate the impact of institutions on banks. If countries have a corporate governance reform in place their banks show better internal governance and higher stability.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Mutarindwa & Dorothea Schäfer & Andreas Stephan, 2018. "The Impact of Institutions on Bank Governance and Stability: Evidence from African Countries," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1739, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1739
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maya El Hourani & Gérard Mondello, 2019. "The Impact of Bank Capital and Institutional Quality on Lending: Empirical Evidence from the MENA Region," GREDEG Working Papers 2019-34, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.

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    Keywords

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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
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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