Banking Market Liberalization and Bank Performance: the Role of Entry Modes

This paper analyzes the evolution in bank performance following the removal of legal restrictions on the entry of foreign banks in three transition economies: the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. Two modes of foreign bank entry are considered: entry by Greenfield investments, and by foreign mergers and acquisitions of domestic banks. For this purpose, we construct a panel data of banks from the three countries over the period 1994-2004. We determine the dates on which liberalization occurred in each country. Bank performance is reflected by accounting measures of profitability, net interest margin, and operating costs. The results show a very limited effect of the entry of Greenfield banks on domestic banking market in the early transition period. In contrast, the foreign entry by mergers and acquisitions of domestic banks exerts significant impacts on bank performance. Indeed, we observe significant declines in banks' profits and net interest margins, and a significant increase in operating costs. Our results have important policy implications for those emerging and transition economies still hesitant to liberalize their banking markets.