We study an oligopoly model of banking that allows us to evaluate the two leading explanations for banks’ ability to earn rents. In the model, banks can either invest in information acquisition, or in market power (through product differentiation). The two versions generate different predictions that are tested using panel data on Finnish local banks. We find that banks’ investments in branch n...

This paper explores the issue of banking efficiency in Central Europe by applying the Fourier functional form and the stochastic cost frontier approach in calculating inefficiencies for a large sample of German, Austrian, Swiss and Luxembourg banks between 1997 and 2003. The findings suggest that the largest sized banks are generally the least efficient banks and the smallest sized banks are th...

This paper addresses a polyphase structure of spectral graph wavelets and filter banks. We consider two-channel critically sampled graph filter banks. In classical signal processing, polyphase structure of filter banks is very useful since downsampler (upsampler) can be placed before analysis filtering (after synthesis filtering). We theoretically derive that a similar structure is also possibl...

In this paper we investigate whether banks that borrow from other banks have lower risk levels. We concentrate on a large sample of Central and Eastern European banks which allows us to explore the impact of interbank lending when exposures are long-term and interbank borrowers are small banks. The results of the empirical analysis generally confirm the hypothesis that long-term interbank expos...

background: we examined a molecular method with a single-pcr for amplification of a part of cp5 gene enabling us to differen­tiate the pathogenic species, entamoeba histolytica , from the non-pathogenic species, e. dispar . methods: we developed a single pcr method for this purpose.  after investigation of genbank, primer pairs were de­signed from highly conserved regions of cysteine proteinase...

SN SOME of its public statements in recent years, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has stressed the objective of promoting market discipline of the risks assumed by banks through the influence of uninsured depositors.’ The FDIC has attempted to accomplish this by allowing the uninsured depositors of some failed banks to suffer losses. In practice, the cases in which uninsured de...

Using bank level data for 80 countries in the 1988-1995 period, this paper examines the extent of foreign ownership in national banking markets. The net interest margins, overhead, taxes paid, and profitability of foreign and domestic banks are compared. The functioning of foreign relative to domestic banks is very different in developing and developed countries, with foreign banks achieving hi...

This paper uses a unique database to test the effect of ATM surcharges on large versus small banks. Specifically, we examine the impact of ATM surcharges on bank customer incentives to switch accounts, from smaller banks to larger banks, in order to avoid ATM surcharges. We find that ATM surcharges increase the market share of deposits of large banks and decrease the market share of the smaller...

This work attempts to identify determinants of capital structure in a sample of commercial banks listed on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stock markets. To achieve this objective, data about were collected from 47 GCC commercial banks for the period between 2001 and 2010. We find that profitability and liquidity affect banks’ capital structure decision. The major contribution of this study ...

In March of this year the Bank circulated a questionnaire on derivatives to all 38 banks operating in the Australian market. The questionnaire sought information on the products being traded by banks, the maturity composition of banks’ derivatives portfolios and banks’ counterparties. Information was also sought on banks’ strategies in derivatives markets, and on their risk-management practices...