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Recent trends in the number and size of bank branches: an examination of likely determinants

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  • Timothy H. Hannan
  • Gerald A. Hanweck

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the role of market characteristics in explaining the much discussed phenomenon of growth in the number of banking institution branches over time, and the much less discussed phenomenon of decline in the size of the average branch. We note first that substitution of bank branches in the US for thrift branches accounts for much of the sharp rise observed for bank branches over time. Using a panel data set that consists of over 2,000 markets observed from 1988 to 2004, we report a number of findings regarding the market characteristics that are associated with the number of branches (of both commercial banks and savings associations) in a market and the average employment size of those branches.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy H. Hannan & Gerald A. Hanweck, 2008. "Recent trends in the number and size of bank branches: an examination of likely determinants," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2008-02, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2008-02
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Klemperer, 1995. "Competition when Consumers have Switching Costs: An Overview with Applications to Industrial Organization, Macroeconomics, and International Trade," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 62(4), pages 515-539.
    2. Randall S. Kroszner & Philip E. Strahan, 1999. "What Drives Deregulation? Economics and Politics of the Relaxation of Bank Branching Restrictions," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(4), pages 1437-1467.
    3. Beggs, Alan W & Klemperer, Paul, 1992. "Multi-period Competition with Switching Costs," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 60(3), pages 651-666, May.
    4. Kim, Moshe & Vale, Bent, 2001. "Non-price strategic behavior: the case of bank branches," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 19(10), pages 1583-1602, December.
    5. Avery, Robert B. & Bostic, Raphael W. & Calem, Paul S. & Canner, Glenn B., 1999. "Consolidation and bank branching patterns," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 23(2-4), pages 497-532, February.
    6. Erin Davis & Tara N. Rice, 2007. "The branch banking boom in Illinois: a byproduct of restrictive branching laws," Chicago Fed Letter, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, issue May.
    7. Evren Damar, H., 2007. "Does post-crisis restructuring decrease the availability of banking services? The case of Turkey," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 2886-2905, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jackowicz, Krzysztof & Kozłowski, Łukasz & Wnuczak, Paweł, 2021. "Which local markets do banks desert first? evidence from poland," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    2. Kwame Mireku & Emmanuel Akomeah Sakyi & Joseph Akadeagre Agana, 2018. "Does Commercial Banks Presence Enhance Profitability in Ghana?," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 19(6), pages 1449-1461, December.
    3. Karen Y. Jang, 2020. "Corporate Assets and Enhancing Firm Value: Evidence from the Market for Bank Branches in the US," Journal of Financial Services Research, Springer;Western Finance Association, vol. 57(3), pages 253-286, June.
    4. Marcello Pagnini & Paola Rossi & Valerio Vacca & Johann Burgstaller, 2017. "Dynamics of Retail-Bank Branching in Austria," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 46(3), pages 527-554, November.
    5. Stefano Colombo, 2017. "Traditional banks, online banks, and number of branches," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 44(2), pages 175-197, June.
    6. Iulia Cristina Iuga & Larisa-Loredana Dragolea, 2021. "Well-Being Impact on Banking Systems," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-22, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Branch banks; Banks and banking - United States;

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General

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