Determinants of Commercial Banks Profitability: Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

Abstract

As profitability is a comparative measure that describes the associations of total amount of profit with different factors. Thisstudy examines the influence of commercial banks determinants on the performance of commercial banks in Pakistan over the time period from 2004-2010. Consistency in performance is the basic reason for smooth running and presence of every financial institution.Profitability is the most significant and consistent indicator as it contributes huge amount of profitthat ultimately impacts its performance positively. The commercial bank’s profitability is found out by the return on equity (ROE) and net-interest margin(NIM). Result indicates that the capital strength of a bank is utmost significance in affecting its performance, as a well-capitalized bank is observed to be less risky and such edge lead to high profitability. The assets quality, measured by the loans loss provisions, affects the performance of the banks positively and bank size as deposit indicates direct association with profitability as large banks earn more profit instead of small banks. Inflation and NIGI affects the bank’s profitability inversely as increase inflation affects banks cost that increased and its earning main source is its fee that it charge on its services but free services without any charges decrease in gross income that lead a reduction in profit. This study is important and worthwhile for all commercial banks mangers regarding performance decisions of banks. As the development of the banking sector depends profoundly on strong decision making that leads to the efficiency and performance