Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Effect of Number of Bank Branches, and Number of Savings Deposit Accounts on the Profitability of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

S.L. Mairafi A.A. Mahmud S.I. Yahaya HAFIZ, Bashir

Abstract

This study examined the effect of number of bank branches and number of savings deposit accounts on the profitability of deposit money banks in Nigeria, covering the period 1993–2024 with quarterly data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Bureau of Statistics. Profitability was proxied by return on assets , employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model and bounds testing approach, the study investigated both the short-run and long-run relationships. Descriptive statistics revealed moderate variation in the data, while correlation analysis confirmed weak to moderate associations among variables, reducing the risk of multicollinearity. Unit root tests indicated a mixture of I(0) and I(1) series, making ARDL an appropriate estimation technique. The bounds test confirmed cointegration, and the error correction regression demonstrated a high speed of adjustment to equilibrium. The findings showed that branch penetration, and savings mobilization significantly enhanced profitability. In conclusion, financial inclusion indicators, branch penetration, and savings accounts, are strong drivers of bank profitability in Nigeria. It is recommended that banks deepen investments in digital infrastructure, optimize branch networks, and promote savings culture, while regulators strengthen financial literacy and policies that expand access to formal banking services.

Keywords

Number of bank branchesnumber of savings deposit accountsreturn on assetfinancial inclusion

References

Abdul, Z. H. (2017). Effect of financial inclusion on poverty reduction in Nigeria. Unpublished PhD thesis submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Al-Eitan, G. N., Al-Own, B., &Bani-Khalid, T. (2022). Financial inclusion indicators affect profitability of Jordanian commercial banks: Panel data analysis. Economies,10(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/economies10020038 Ameerh, H.H., &Flayyihb, H.H. (2022).The relationship between bank deposits and profitability for commercial banks.International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 13(7). 1-9 Imbadu, P. M., & Maniagi, M. (2020). Influence of bank branches spread on financial performance of commercial banks in Kakamega County. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 7(4), 995 – 1007. Lawal, L.O., Abubakar, I.A., &Salau, R.A. (2020). Financial inclusion, MSMEs and its impact on deposit money banks performance in Nigeria. Al-Hikmah Management Review, 5(1), 42-56. Uma, H.R., Rupa, K.N., &Madhu, G.R. (2011). Impact of bank led financial inclusion Model on the Socio Economic Stands of Sarai Saving Account Holders, Indian Journal of Research, 2(1), 21-37. Watts, R.L., & Zimmerman, J.L. (1979). The demand for and supply of accounting theories: The market for excuses. The Accounting Review, 53(2), 1-16. World Bank (2012). Barriers to Financial Inclusion accessed online http/data topics worldbank.org/financial inclusion/income – org (June, 2012). World Bank (2014). Financial Inclusion, Global Financial Development Report (Washington). World Bank (2014). Global financial development report 2014: Financial inclusion. Washington, DC: World Bank Publications. World Bank (2015).Measuring financial inclusion around the World. The Global FindexDataBase Accessed http/worldbank.org./en/programs/globalfindex.September, 2015. Yeboah, J., Asrifi, E.K., &Adigbo, E.D. (2014). The role of banks in financing small & medium scale enterprises in Ghana – A case study of universal banks in Sekondi-Takoradi. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(11), 161-172. Oranga, O.J., &Ondabu, I.T. (2018). Effect of financial inclusion on financial performance of banks listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 8(5), 112-125. Jimoh, A.T., Shittu, A.T., &Attah, J.A. (2019).Impact of financial inclusion on performance of banks in Nigeria.Fountain University Osogbo Journal of Management , 4(3), 84 – 96. Georges, O, James, A., & Margaret, C. (2014). The performance of rural banks in Ghana: The ages have past anything recommended for the future. International review of management and business research,3(2), 1-18. Fadi, S. (2021). Financial inclusion and banks' performance: Evidence from Palestine. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 18(1), 126-138. Emire, E. F., Mills, A., &Amowire, N. (2013). The rural bank profitability nexus: Evidence from Ghana. International Journal of Applications and Innovation in engineering and Management, 2(4).506-513. P-ISSN 2695-186X Boadi, I., Dana, L.P., Martens, G., &Mensah, L. (2017). SME’s financing and bank profitability: A good date for banks in Ghana. Journal of African Business, 12(2).250-275. Awo, J. P., &Akotey, J.O. (2010). Financial performance of rural banks in Ghana: A case study of Naara Rural Bank. Faculty of economics and business administration, Catholic University College of Ghana. Adusei, M. (2015). Branch profitability: Insights from the rural banking industry in Ghana. General and Applied Economics Research Article, 3.DOI: 10.1080/23322039.2015.1111489. Aduda, J., &Kalunda, E. (2012). Financial inclusion and financial sector stability with reference to Kenya: A review of literature. Journal of Applied Finance and Banking, 2(6), 95-120. Bessler, N., &Bittelmeyer, C. (2006). Innovation and the performance of technology firms: Evidence from initial public offerings in Germany. Center for Finance and Banking, Justus – Liebug – University Giessen. P-ISSN 2695-186X

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT