How market structure and efficiency influence profitability and risk taking of banks in MENA countries ?

Abstract

This thesis explores three important topics which contribute to the study of bank efficiency, competition, profitability and financial stability. In the Chapter 2 “The Impact of Bank Competition on Risk-Taking: the case of MENA countries”, we empirically analyze the effect of bank competition and other determinants on risk-taking for banks in MENA countries. Next Chapter 3 “Determinants of bank efficiency in MENA countries”, measures cost efficiency, and empirically analyzes the factors that affect bank efficiency. Finally, in the Chapter 4 “Market Structure, Performance, and Efficiency of the MENA Banking Sector”, we test the four competing hypotheses that explain bank performance (SCP, RMP, ES and QLH). The chapters are independent of each other in terms of theoretical grounding and methodology but complement each other by investigating the three different angles related.