Bank Specific and Macroeconomic Determinants of Bank Profitability

Abstract

This study investigated the profitability of the banking sector in Pakistan. It evaluated the effects of both internal (bank-specific) and external (macroeconomic) factors on bank’s profitability from 2006 to 2013 period. The data of 34 commercial banks operating in Pakistan has collected. The data was balanced panel data and analyzed by random effect panel data regression analysis. Results confirmed that bank size and non-interest income had positive significant relationship on banking profitability. Deposit had negative significant relationship with banking profitability because of maintaining high liquidity, which increased cost of holding asset that ultimately, decrease profitability. As major participant, banks of Pakistan banking sector were small size banks so most important factor out of significant factors were income from non-interest facilities provided by these commercial banks. By increasing such facilities increased the bank’s customer base, which ultimately increased bank’s profitability. Macro-economic factors showed no significant effect on bank’s profitability.