Noninterest income and bank performance in Europe and Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
This study investigates the relationship between noninterest income and profitability for a sample of banks in Europe and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) using unbalanced panel data for the period 2009–2020. The sample consists 1014 bank, of which 230 banks in MENA and 784 in Europe with a total...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Business & Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2500678 |
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| Summary: | This study investigates the relationship between noninterest income and profitability for a sample of banks in Europe and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) using unbalanced panel data for the period 2009–2020. The sample consists 1014 bank, of which 230 banks in MENA and 784 in Europe with a total number of observations equals to 3608. The fixed-effect model incorporates bank level and a set of external variables to control for the macroeconomic environment and the structures of the banking systems. The results reveal a significant positive link in MENA and no link in Europe. However, MENA banks are more concentrated, less integrated, less efficient and operate in a monopolistic competitive environment, which enables them to charge higher fees and commissions. Their profitability may be stemming from heavy investment in noninterest products. Policymakers may consider separating noninterest activities from interest activities, particularly those that are highly risky. Further, profitability may be due to higher fees and commissions; policymakers may consider addressing the issue of antitrust regulations to create a more competitive financial system. In Europe, noninterest income does not affect profitability, which could be due to the downturn of economic activity since 2008, the complex structure of the universal banking system. |
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| ISSN: | 2331-1975 |