To understand the transformation of banking in the post-communist transition, this paper examines the cost efficiency of 289 banks in 15 east European countries. The findings showed that banking systems in which foreign-owned banks have a larger share of total assets record lower costs and that...

While development of sound, market oriented banking systems is fundamental to the transition, bank intermediation remains stunted after a decade or more of reform. This paper examines the impact of banking reform and other factors on banking development in transition economies at both the...

This paper examines how market entry and privatization have affected the margins and marginal costs of banks in the post-communist transition. We estimate bank revenue and cost functions, allowing the estimated parameters to change over time. In the first sub-period (1995-98), we find that...

While development of sound, market-oriented banking systems is fundamental to the transition, bank intermediation remains stunted after a decade or more of reform. This paper examines the impact of banking and enterprise reforms and other factors on banking development in transition economies at...

To understand the transformation of banking in the post-communist transition, this paper examines the cost efficiency of 289 banks in 15 east European countries. The findings showed that banking systems in which foreign-owned banks have a larger share of total assets record lower costs and that...

With the recent collapse of the asset price “bubble,” Japanese banks encountered significant pressure from both a sharp decline in the value of equity holdings and a marked increase in bad loans. In August 1992, the Government initiated measures that stabilized equity prices and assisted...

This paper examines alternative approaches to building sound financial structures in emerging market economies. The foremost task is to resolve the bad loan problem and to recapitalize insolvent state banks. By restoring an incentive for banks to price accurately the risks of new lending, this...