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The Separation of Banking from Insurance: Evidence from Europe

Author

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  • Mohamed Nurullah

    (Glasgow Caledonian University, U.K.)

  • Sotiris K. Staikouras

    (Cass Business School, U.K.)

Abstract

The European market of banks and insurance companies has traditionally no exact boundaries between insurance and banking activities. Such business arena poses distinctive challenges to both banking and insurance industries. The paper statistically evaluates the feasibility of a hybrid portfolio integrating banking and insurance services. It examines the risk-return effects of European banks’ diversification into life and non-life insurance underwriting, as well as into insurance broking businesses. More specifically, it focuses on financial data and analyzes changes in profitability, return volatility and creditworthiness of those financial institutions. The empirical results indicate that diversification by European banks into life and non-life insurance underwriting activities increases banks’ risk. Unlike the non-life insurance sector, the return on life assurance underwriting increases significantly. On the other hand, insurance broking returns increase as well, while volatility and possible bankruptcy remain insignificant. This suggests that the interface of banks and insurance broking activities could be further explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Nurullah & Sotiris K. Staikouras, 2008. "The Separation of Banking from Insurance: Evidence from Europe," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 12(3-4), pages 157-184, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:mfj:journl:v:12:y:2008:i:3-4:p:157-184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Cuong, Ly Kim, 2021. "Are financial holding companies' subsidiaries riskier than bank holding companies’ affiliates?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 1025-1033.
    3. Lucia Spotorno & Ornella Moro, 2020. "Do bank-affiliated P&C insurers perform better? An empirical investigation," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 45(2), pages 225-255, April.
    4. Ines Ayadi, 2014. "Bancassurance in Tunisia: What Are the Efficiency Gains?," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(3), pages 159-166, July.
    5. Oleg Curbatov & Marie Louyot-Gallicher, 2015. "Knowedge Marketing," Post-Print hal-01423209, HAL.
    6. Jens Hagendorff & Kevin Keasey, 2009. "Post‐merger strategy and performance: evidence from the US and European banking industries," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(4), pages 725-751, December.
    7. Staikouras, Sotiris K., 2009. "An event study analysis of international ventures between banks and insurance firms," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 675-691, October.
    8. Greg Niehaus & Jannes Rauch & Sabine Wende, 2019. "Regulation and the connectedness of insurers to the banking sector: International evidence," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 22(4), pages 393-420, December.
    9. Barbara Casu & Panagiotis Dontis†Charitos & Sotiris Staikouras & Jonathan Williams, 2016. "Diversification, Size and Risk: the Case of Bank Acquisitions of Nonbank Financial Firms," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 22(2), pages 235-275, March.
    10. Andreas Merikas & Sotiris K. Staikouras, 2008. "The Greek Bank-Insurance Model: A Look At A Not-So-New Corporate Structure," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(3), pages 25-34.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bancassurance; Financial institutions; Bank diversification; Insurance activities; Risk-return analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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