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European bank profitability: the Great Convergence?

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  • Martien Lamers
  • Thomas Present
  • Rudi Vander Vennet

Abstract

Have Euro Area banks restored viability in the post-crisis era? We investigate profitability convergence for Euro Area banks over the period 2009-2020 using the concepts of ß and s convergence and a club clustering algorithm. Our evidence is consistent with a slow catch up of the weaker banks, but we also document that better performing banks converge towards a lower profit level, suggesting a ‘great convergence’ towards the middle. Moreover, we identify a cluster of banks exhibiting dismal profit dynamics, indicating the need for a restructuring of part of the Euro Area banking sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Martien Lamers & Thomas Present & Rudi Vander Vennet, 2022. "European bank profitability: the Great Convergence?," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 22/1039, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    • Handle: RePEc:rug:rugwps:22/1039
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    Cited by:

    1. Su-Jane Chen, 2023. "Beta convergence and sigma convergence of key financial ratios post the Great Recession: community banks vs. non-community banks," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 43(2), pages 922-933.
    2. Raftis, Achilleas & Karpetis, Christos & Papadamou, Stephanos & Spyromitros, Eleftherios, 2024. "Monetary winds of change: Exploring the link between policy shifts and bank profitability in developed and emerging European markets," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    3. 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).
    4. Yildirim, Canan & Kasman, Adnan & Gulamhussen, Mohamed Azzim, 2023. "Efficiency of multinational banks: Impacts of geographic and product loci," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Euro Area banks; bank profitability; ß convergence; s convergence; club clustering analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C38 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Classification Methdos; Cluster Analysis; Principal Components; Factor Analysis
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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