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Drivers of Bank Solvency, Risk Provisioning and Profitability in the Armenian Banking System

Author

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  • Suren Pakhchanyan
  • Jörg Prokop
  • Gor Sahakyan

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of bank-specific, regulatory and macroeconomic determinants on solvency, risk provisioning, and profitability in the Armenian banking sector. We show that abnormal loan growth is associated with a decrease in regulatory capital ratios, an increase in loan loss provisions, and a reduction in loan portfolio profitability. In addition, we observe an inverse relationship between GDP growth and bank solvency as well as profitability. Regarding regulation, we identify a decrease in regulatory capital ratios as well as a drop in profitability after the implementation of the Basel II Accord. JEL Classification: G32, G21, G28

Suggested Citation

  • Suren Pakhchanyan & Jörg Prokop & Gor Sahakyan, 2018. "Drivers of Bank Solvency, Risk Provisioning and Profitability in the Armenian Banking System," Journal of Emerging Market Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research, vol. 17(3), pages 307-332, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:emffin:v:17:y:2018:i:3:p:307-332
    DOI: 10.1177/0972652718797815
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Risk management; profitability; solvency; credit risk; Armenian banks; loan growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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