We study empirically the effect of focus (specialization) versus diversification on the return and the risk of banks using data from 105 Italian banks over the period 1993–99. Specifically, we analyse the trade-offs between (loan portfolio) focus and diversification using a unique data set...

This paper examines the effects of cross-border bank mergers on the risk and (abnormal) returns of acquiring banks. We find that overall, the acquirers´ risk neither increases nor decreases. In particular, on average neither their total risk nor their systematic risk falls relative to banks in...

This paper examines the effects of cross-border bank mergers on the risk and (abnormal) returns of acquiring banks. We find that overall, the acquirers risk neither increases nor decreases. In particular, on average neither their total risk nor their systematic risk falls relative to banks in...

This paper examines the effects of cross-border bank mergers on the risk and (abnormal) returns of acquiring banks. We find that overall, the acquirers' risk neither increases nor decreases. In particular, on average neither their total risk nor their systematic risk falls relative to banks in...