A Fundamental Approach to Estimating Economies of Scale and Scope of Financial Products: The Case of Mutual Funds

We propose a Fundamental approach to estimate the economies of scale and scope for financial institutions offering multi-product lines. We first estimate pure economies of scale from its fundamental definition, which is the marginal cost reduction that is to be achieved by single product firms of increasing size that offer the same product. Similarly, we estimate the economies of scope from its fundamental definition, as the marginal cost reduction achieved by the addition of a new product line. Operationally, we compare the cost of operating a say, 3 product-line financial institution with the cost of operating a portfolios of companies that are synthetically created from a control sample of financial institutions offering fewer, such as 2 and 1 similar product lines. When this approach is applied to mutual funds data, we find economies of scale for some fund type. The evidence on marginal cost economies due to increasing scope is rather weak. The results have practical implications for potential organizers and current management of investment companies.     

Global Liquidity and Financial Stress: Evidence from Major Emerging Economies

We examine the relationship between financial stress and global liquidity for the so-called fragile five emerging economies (Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, and Turkey). By using an extensive set of variables that take into account the structural characteristics of these economies, we construct a financial stress index. We then use a Markov regime switching model to identify the high financial stress episodes. We examine periods of heightened financial stress and its relationship to high incidence of domestic and global disturbances. Finally, we construct a global financial liquidity index and assess the relationship between financial stress and global liquidity. Using a bivariate Markov regime switching VAR model, we find a regime-dependent relation between global liquidity and financial stress. Moreover, global liquidity shocks seem to strain these emerging economies in such a way that global illiquidity heightens financial stress.     

Banking Mergers: The Impact of Financial Liberalization on the Taiwanese Banking Industry

The objective of this paper is to examine the nature of the Taiwanese banking sector and to analyze the impact of financial liberalization on the Taiwanese banking industry. We present empirical evidence to show that the recent wave of bank mergers observed in other countries is also suitable for Taiwan. Based on empirical results for overall economies of scale and expansion path subadditivity, Taiwanese banks should obtain the benefit of scale economies by merging with other banks rather than expanding by opening more branches. Furthermore, we show that the Relative Market Power hypothesis—which postulates that greater market shares lead to higher profitability—finds empirical support in Taiwanese banking data after financial reforms were enacted.     

我国商业银行规模经济和范围经济的实证研究

本文利用广义超越对数成本函数,分组研究了我国14家商业银行2001—2010年的面板数据,结果表明:股份制商业银行的总体规模经济略好于国有控股商业银行,但在贷款特定产出规模经济方面要逊于国有控股商业银行;国有控股商业银行的范围经济要好于股份制商业银行,在特定产出范围经济方面,贷款与存款、投资与存款存在成本互补,贷款与投资存在较轻程度的范围不经济。     

>Conversion Ratios in Charities in England and Wales: An Investigation of Economies of Scale

This study examines ways in which the scale economies of charities can be measured and investigates the use of conversion ratios as indicators of scale efficiency. Problems and difficulties inherent in the use of these ratios are detailed. The analysis then employs nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests), based on the identified conversion ratios, to examine for the existence of scale economies in the operation of the 500 largest fundraising charities in England and Wales. The statistical analysis provides evidence of scale economies and suggests that scale efficiency gains have not as yet been exhausted. The charity sector therefore appears to be characterised by increasing returns to scale with further growth necessary before optimal size, as indicated by constant returns to scale, is achieved.     

基于规模经济和技术进步两种效应的商业银行效率研究

利用超对数成本函数,从规模经济和技术进步角度,对中国商业银行1995到2005年的效率进行实证表明,一方面,中国商业银行业存在着规模经济和技术进步正效应,这主要得益于股份制商业银行;另一方面,国有商业银行的规模不经济和技术进步负效应,导致中国商业银行业的效率较低.因此,要保持中国商业银行业效率的不断提高,必须压缩国有商业银行的规模,加快股份制商业银行的发展,改善商业银行的治理结构.完善金融人才的培养机制.     

Winners and Losers as Financial Service Providers Converge: Evidence from the Financial Modernization Act of 1999

The Financial Modernization Act of 1999 dramatically increased insurers' and investment banks' authority to provide an array of financial services and allowed commercial banks to offer investment banking and insurance services. In this paper we examine the market response to this legislation. We find a strong positive response among insurance companies and investment banks, and no significant response among commercial banks. Larger institutions in all three financial sectors earn higher abnormal returns. Additionally, better performing banks earn higher abnormal returns. Our results suggest that allowing financial convergence can add value through synergies and that large players are needed to exploit the scope economies.     

基于TCF函数的中国城市商业银行规模经济探究

通过收集52家城商行年度报告数据,建立超越对数成本函数（TCF）,得出规模经济系数,进而判断我国城商行的规模经济效应。同时,建立规模因子与资产规模的散点图,得出城商行的规模经济变动趋势,并据此分别得出不同资产规模的城商行发展战略。     

The Financial Sector and Deregulation in Australia: Drivers of Reform or Reluctant Followers?

This paper argues that contrary to capture theory, a key feature of financial deregulation in Australia was the lack of support from financial sector interest groups. An examination of the Campbell Inquiry (1979-1981) reveals that deregulation was not initiated by either the regulated banks or unregulated non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs). In fact, both groups were resistant to change prior to the establishment of the Inquiry. During the Inquiry, neither group advocated wide-ranging deregulation, preferring the retention of many financial regulations.     

Institutional Reforms,EU Accession,and Bank Efficiency in Transition Economies: Evidence from Bulgaria

This paper examines the efficiency of Bulgarian banks and its determinants over the period 1999-2007. The levels of technical, allocative, and cost efficiency are estimated using a nonparametric methodology and then regressed on a number of bankspecific, institutional, and EU-related factors. The findings indicate that foreign banks were more efficient than domestic private banks, although the gap between them narrowed over time. State-owned banks ranked last, but their privatization resulted in efficiency gains. Capitalization, liquidity, and enterprise restructuring enhanced bank efficiency, whereas banking reforms had an adverse effect. The Treaty of Accession and EU membership were associated with significant efficiency improvements.     

我国国有商业银行与股份制商业银行规模经济的比较分析:1995-2005

本文以我国1995-2005年的银行数据为样本,比较分析一直以来都让世人所关注的我国不同所有制商业银行的规模经济问题.在介绍国内外有关银行业规模经济问题研究的文献综述基础上,通过依据大量相关具体数据对我国银行业的市场结构及效益问题进行经验性的判断比较,最后运用超越对数成本函数对我国国有商业银行与股份制商业银行的规模经济问题进行实证比较分析,并得出结论:从总体上看,我国商业银行规模系数变化不大,但近几年来在规模效率方面,国有商业银行相对于股份制商业银行来说进步更为显著.     

我国金融机构的组织规模、空间分布与效率改进

金融机构的组织规模和网点分布密切相关,规模扩张通常意味着分支机构网点的空间扩张.金融业是关系密集型行业,关系在不同的金融产品和服务中的重要性是不一样的,其经营的经济规模也是不一样的.个人保险类金融产品关系性最低,其经营也最接近普通消费品的营销原则;公司类产品最具有关系性,其经营最依赖于银企双方的关系.金融产品和服务中关系型的经济规模较小,非关系型的经济规模较大.金融机构经营领域是不同关系类型的金融产品和服务的业务集合,这很容易使金融机构过度膨胀.通过机构专业化、组织集团化和配送一体化可以改变这一特征并提高金融机构运营效率.     

How Issue Size, Risk, and Complexity are Influencing External Financing Costs: German IPOs Analyzed from an Economies of Scale Perspective

This paper is focused on the cost of raising capital in Germany. A cross-sectional analysis of flotation cost data for 117 IPOs over the years 1993–1998 is presented. We find average flotation costs to be 7.77 percent of gross proceeds, while underwriting fees average 5.01 percent. Our results extend the literature in two important directions. First, contrary to the conventional economies of scale view we find marginal spreads to be rather constant in gross proceeds and to be higher for more risky and more complex offerings. Fixed costs amount to 5 to 9 percent of underwriting fees. Second, by applying a principal component analysis we find issue size, an issuer risk factor, and an offering method complexity factor to have an economicaly meaningful impact on underwriting fees.     

Return Relationships between Listed Banks and Real Estate Firms: Evidence from Seven Asian Economies

This paper studies the return relationships between listed banks and real estate firms in seven Asian economies before and after the Asian financial crisis. We find that listed banks were exposed to real estate risk both before and after the crisis, but that the exposure increased in the post-crisis period. After the crisis, the hidden risk of real estate collateral in the bank lending process was explicit, as was evidenced by the increased sensitivity and the structure break. In terms of causality, the returns of listed real estate firms are found to Granger-cause the returns of listed banks. However, there is mixed evidence as to whether listed bank returns Granger-cause the returns of listed real estate firms. The study is significant because it indicates the importance of lending policies in relation to the real estate market in establishing a healthy financial system.     

Housing Cooperatives in Sweden: The Effects of Financial Deregulation

The article focuses on transaction prices for recent movers in cooperative dwellings during the period 1980–1993. Prices increased by 80% in real terms up to 1990, then fell by 35% between 1990 and 1993. A hedonic analysis is used to analyze the impact of changmg macroeconomics and financial deregulation. The financial deregulation, which took place in 1985, seems to have caused increased loan-to-value ratios on the cooperative housing market. Using 1983 as a point of reference, a Tobit analysis reveals that the average LTV ratio in 1990 was 290% higher that year. After 1990 the LTV ratio fell by 45% due to credit constraints.     

A Multi-Product Cost Study of the U.S. Life Insurance Industry

This paper reports estimates of overall and product specific economies of scale, as well as, economies of scope for the main outputs of the life insurance industry. In addition, the paper presents a number of structural tests of the production technology. The results indicate that the estimated cost function satisfies the regularity conditions, that the industry exhibits overall and product specific economies of scale, and that there are significant economies of scope between the main lines of business.     

Universal Banking,Conflicts of Interest and Firm Growth

This paper studies the relationship between universal banking and firm performance. With 40 developing and developed countries, I find that the overall effect of universal banking on firm growth is negative. This suggests that the negative effect of conflicts of interest dominates the positive effect of economies of scale and scope in universal banking. However, in countries with stronger protection of creditors’ rights and higher information efficiency, conflicts of interest are less likely and the negative relationship between universal banking and firm growth is significantly weaker.

现代金融分析：范围、路线和范式转换

文章讨论了现代金融分析领域所涉及的基本问题和研究范围,识别金融分析同货币分析的区别和联系,现代金融分析发展的思想起源以及随着这种思想路线的发展而形成新古典主义金融分析。并对现代金融学的理论框架进行评估,分析了行为金融学兴起的价值理论基础。其目的是对“现代金融学”教学和研究的理论框架、历史演变,以及变革发展的趋势作一个概括,从而为我国21世纪的条件下的金融学理论体系重建提供一个历史的参照。     

Financial Development and Total Factor Productivity Growth: Evidence from China

Abstract

In this article, we estimate the effect of China’s regional financial development on total factor productivity (TFP) growth using large provincial panel data for the years 1990 to 2009. Using the nonparametric stochastic frontier data envelopment approach, we analyze how financial development is related to efficiency improvement and technological progress, the two components of TFP. The study shows that Chinese financial development plays a significant role in promoting TFP growth via technological progress rather than efficiency change. The faster the financial development takes place, the better it could correct the mismatch of resource allocation, thus promoting TFP growth. The results imply that China needs to both further optimize the allocation of financial resources and perfect the regional financial system.     

Scale Economies in Credit Unions: Accounting for Subsidies Is Important

In 1998, the Credit Union Services Corporation Australia Limited (CUSCAL) recommended that Australian credit unions with assets below $5 million should consider merging with larger credit unions. This industry position is at odds with empirical studies, which find little evidence of increasing returns to scale in credit unions. However, an important bias in previous studies of scale economies in credit unions has been the omission of credit union subsidies. This paper shows that the failure to account for subsidies biases the results toward finding diseconomies of scale. After correcting for the subsidy bias, there is very strong evidence of increasing returns to scale in a sample of New South Wales credit unions, supporting the industry recommendation.