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Choice of scale by banks in financial centers

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  • Gulamhussen, Mohamed Azzim

Abstract

The paper develops a theoretical link between foreign investment, scale and reversibility in the banking industry. This link is used to formulate hypotheses that are empirically examined with a unique data set collected through interviews with senior managers of multinational banks in London. Findings reveal that banks do not set up large operations to service domestic customers or get a foothold, but do so to create hubs. Banks with confident beliefs set up large operations, and use large offices to lock themselves into the market. These results explain the cross-sectional variation in the size of foreign investments in the industry. Robustness checks do not reveal presence of influential data points; regressions are stable over time and consistent with what we know from secondary samples.

Suggested Citation

  • Gulamhussen, Mohamed Azzim, 2007. "Choice of scale by banks in financial centers," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 507-525, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:16:y:2007:i:4:p:507-525
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    2. Xiaohui Yuan & Jiayan Yan, 2022. "Reverse Efficiency Spillovers from Host Country Banks to Foreign Banks: Evidence from Emerging Market Bank Subsidiaries in Developed Markets," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 62(6), pages 915-946, December.
    3. Ekman, Peter & Hadjikhani, Annoch Isa & Pajuvirta, Andreas & Thilenius, Peter, 2014. "Tit for tat and big steps: The case of Swedish banks’ internationalization 1961–2010," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(6), pages 1049-1063.

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