•  
  •  
 

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics (JAS)

Keywords

Interest Margin, Panel Data Models, Weighted Least Squares

Abstract

This study applied panel analysis to determine the factors influencing interest margins in Nigeria using bank-specific, sector-specific and macroeconomic data ranging from 2010:Q1 to 2014:Q2. Based on the Hausman test, a fixed effect model in a generalized form (GLS) was estimated. The result shows that credit risk, growth in loans and advances, staff operating cost, GDP growth, inflation rate and money supply growth are significant determinants of interest margins in Nigeria. Consistent with previous studies, staff cost exerts highest impact on interest margins followed by fixed effects term. Further analysis of the banks’ fixed effects reveals that seven banks control about 64%, which raises a policy concern for banks’ supervisors. The result also reveals that banks usually transfer their staff operating costs to customers by either imposing exorbitant lending rates or low deposit rates or both. This study recommends the formulation of strategies for reducing growing banks staff cost in the area of levels of compensation, employee turnover, redundancy, automation processes and outsourcing of non-critical tasks should be given due attention to ensure efficiency and competitive margin that could spur growth in Nigeria.

Author Bio

The authors are staff of Statistics Department, Central Bank of Nigeria.

Publication Title

CBN Journal of Applied Statistics

Issue

1(a)

Volume

7

Download
COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.