Assessing profit determinants of Zambian-owned banks pre and during the COVID-19 era.
Date
2024
Authors
Mwenda, Anthony
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The objective of the study was to assess the factors that influence the profitability of Zambianowned commercial banks throughout the period from January 2013 to December 2021, with a specific focus on First Alliance Bank (FAB), Indo Zambia Bank, and Zanaco. The study included descriptive statistics and panel data analysis to investigate the link between profitability measures (ROA and ROE) and several factors. Regression models were used to assess the financial features and performance indicators. The key findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between the Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) and Return on Assets (ROA), but this link is not statistically significant. This suggests that the DER may not have a substantial impact on ROA, and other factors such as operational efficiency may be more important. In contrast, a notable inverse correlation between Debt-to-Equity Ratio (DER) and Return on Equity (ROE) suggests that a greater dependence on debt diminishes the returns on equity, highlighting the dangers of excessive leverage. The study also discovered a possible adverse effect of Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR) on both Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE), which contradicts the belief that a higher LDR results in increased profitability. In addition, the analysis revealed that an increased
proportion of deposits compared to assets (DTAR) did not necessarily improve profitability. Both return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) exhibited a negative coefficient, although it was not statistically significant. In a similar vein, the study could not uncover robust statistical proof to substantiate the expected positive correlation between Deposits to Assets Ratio (DAR) and profitability. However, a positive inclination was indicated between DAR and Return on Equity (ROE). The text study's policy suggestions and contributions advise that banks should exercise caution when leveraging and managing assets. It proposes that banks should enhance their performance by enhancing operational efficiency instead of solely relying on rising debt or deposits. These findings enhance our understanding of financial parameters and how they affect bank profitability. They question existing financial theories and promote a more comprehensive perspective on the dynamics of the banking sector. The study's thesis asserts that the factors influencing bank profitability in Zambia, specifically in relation to financial ratios such as DER, LDR, DTAR, and DAR, are intricate and do not consistently conform to traditional financial theories. Consequently, banks must reevaluate their approaches to leveraging and asset
management in order to improve profitability and asset management.
Description
Thesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Finance and Business Management.