Foreign ownership and bank performance metrics in Saudi Arabia
International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management
ISSN: 1753-8394
Article publication date: 29 March 2013
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the performance metrics of Saudi banks against the background of the proportion of foreign ownership.
Design/methodology/approach
One of the empirical challenges in addressing small developing markets is the analysis of small samples. The current study looks at a population of ten publicly traded banks in Saudi Arabia over a two‐year period. While the results of traditional parametric tests of difference are reported, the study also employs more robust distribution free non‐parametric tests of differences in location measures between the two groups.
Findings
Surprisingly though, the evidence provided in this paper shows that while banks with foreign ownership are indeed more aggressive in terms of capital structure, loan portfolios and regulatory tier 1 capital, they are unable to translate these into higher performance outcomes.
Research limitations/implications
One limitation is drawing inferences from small samples. The study overcomes this by using non‐parametric methods.
Practical implications
The study provides potential investors in the Middle‐Eastern region with information about the banking sector in Saudi Arabia.
Social implications
The results of the study may provide banking regulators with insights into the behavior of foreign owned banks in developing countries.
Originality/value
This is the first study that looks at this very important sector in the largest country within the GCC.
Keywords
Citation
Abraham, A. (2013), "Foreign ownership and bank performance metrics in Saudi Arabia", International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 43-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/17538391311310734
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited