Analyzing The Profitability Of Top-Rated Banks In The World In Light Of COVID-19

We analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the profitability of top-rated banks in the world using a comprehensive list of bank-specific ratios under post-lasso regressions based on GLS, FGLS and WLS techniques. While size and loans do not materially impound on profitability, a squeeze in the positive impact of asset utilization for all profitability metrics is conspicuously noted. COVID-19 induced declines in the negative impact of total impairment charges and provisions are noted for ROA and NIM while COVID-19-induced hike in the cost-to-income ratio is found for ROE. Findings also demonstrate that policy responses initiated during the crisis did not boost the profits of banks. From a policy perspective, sharing economy could manifest as a contemplated business model for banks, should the world relapse into another form of pandemic-related crisis. © 2023 World Scientific Publishing Company.

Digitization, Ageing Population and Bank Profitability: Evidence in Light of Two Global Crises

Despite the prevalence of a rich literature on bank profitability, yet, none of it analyzes the simultaneous effects of GFC and COVID-19 on bank profitability. We attempt to fulfil this gap by using a model which factors in digitization, ageing population, endogenous and predetermined variables, let alone control for G-SIBs. Findings show that the impacts of COVID-19 were twice as much deleterious as those hailing from the GFC in the case of NIM and four times as harmful in the case of ROE, with ageing population exerting bearish forces on bank profitability. Mobile usage interacted with COVID-19 crisis dummy and is found to leverage on ROE, underscoring the significance of technology-driven sources of activities during the pandemic. Overall, our paper justifies the significantly larger bailout package launched by the authorities during the pandemic compared to that triggered during the GFC with the critical role of technology being underscored in securing banks' profits during the pandemic. © 2023 World Scientific Publishing Company.

Does geographical proximity matter in determining the profitability of banks?

Despite the existence of a burgeoning literature on bank profitability, yet, none of them gave due consideration to geographical proximity. We fulfill such a gap by analyzing the effects of COVID-19 on the profitability of top-rated banks. Findings confirm the prevalence of spatial dependence at both the global and sub-global with feedback effects being systematically higher than spillover effects. Our study uncovers evidence of a COVID-19 induced decline in asset utilization. Findings advocate sharing economy as a potential tool to banks in combating any future pandemic risk with regionalized approach to supervision being deemed better than its globalized counterpart. © 2022 The Society for Policy Modeling