Over the past several years, substantial research effort has gone into measuring the
efficiency of financial institutions. Many studies have found that inefficiencies are quite large …

This article designs a framework for evaluating the causes, consequences, and future
implications of financial services industry consolidation, reviews the extant research …

The paper analyzes the evolution of competitive conditions in the Italian banking industry
using firm-level balance sheet data for the period 1984-1997. Regulatory reform, large-scale …

This paper examines the determinants of the high intermediation spread observed in the
Colombian banking sector for over two decades. A reduced-form equation is estimated on …

Theoretical studies have noted that loan applicants rejected by one bank can apply at
another bank, systematically worsening the pool of applicants faced by all banks. This study …

This study investigates the impact of financial sector reforms on interest rate spreads in the
commercial banking system in Malawi. The financial reform program commenced in 1989 …

In recent years, an increasing portion of bank income has been generated through
nontraditional activities. Most studies of bank efficiency do not include any measure of …

Shortcomings of the structure–conduct–performance (SCP) hypothesis have rendered
newer empirical methods crucial for assessing competition in banking markets. Here, we …

Table of Contents: Acknowledgements 5 1 Introduction and background 11 1.1 Research
methodology 12 1.1. 1 Industrial organization, competition and efficiency 13 1.1. 2 Oligopoly …

These significant changes raise important policy concerns. On the one hand, one could
argue that banks are merging to fully exploit potential economies of scale and/or scope. The …