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Legal History, Institutions and Banking System Development in Africa

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  • Samuel Mutarindwa
  • Dorothea Schäfer
  • Andreas Stephan

Abstract

This paper links banking systems development to the colonial and legal history of African countries. Specifically, we investigate the impact of differing legal traditions on the development of existing investor and creditor protection, and on African banking systems. Based on a sample of 40 African countries from 2000 to 2016, our empirical findings show a significant dependence of current financial institutions on the legal origin and the colonization type. Findings also reveal that current legal financial institutions are not the major determinants of banking system development, whereas institutional and regulatory quality significantly matter for banking system development in both common and civil law countries. Strong creditor rights reduce the cost of banking in African countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Mutarindwa & Dorothea Schäfer & Andreas Stephan, 2020. "Legal History, Institutions and Banking System Development in Africa," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 1844, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1844
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mutarindwa, Samuel & Schäfer, Dorothea & Stephan, Andreas, 2020. "Central banks' supervisory guidance on corporate governance and bank stability: Evidence from African countries," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    2. Mutarindwa, Samuel & Schäfer, Dorothea & Stephan, Andreas, 2021. "Differences in African banking systems: causes and consequences," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(4), pages 561-581, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Legal origin; colonial history; financial institutions; banking system; Hausman-Taylor estimation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G39 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Other
    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General
    • K15 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Civil Law; Common Law

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