Abstract:
Existing data indicate that the bank spread in Mozambique is high. Thus, this dissertation aims to analyze the determinants of bank spread in Mozambique between 2008 and 2016 and to discuss some economic policy measures for its reduction. The sample for this study consists of eight commercial banks that operated in Mozambique, in the period mentioned above, totaling 72 observations. To reach that central objective of this study, the estimation of the panel data model was used. To choose between the fixed-effects model and the random-effects model, the Hausman test was performed. The results of this test indicated that the random-effects model is the one that best fits the analysis data used in this study. The results of the study indicate that, during the period covered by this study (2008-2016), in Mozambique, operating costs, credit risk, concentration ratio, permanent deposit facility, GDP growth rate and the inflation rate influence bank spread positively, and that management efficiency, permanent lending facility and interest rate on treasury bills negatively influence bank spread. A high banking spread negatively influences the efficiency of the banking sector, as it limits financing to potential investors and, consequently, contributes to the reduction of production and the slow growth of the economy. Thus, based on the results summarized above, there are some measures that can be taken to reduce the banking spread in Mozambique, namely the reduction of banks' operating costs, increased competition in the banking sector, reduced concentration and reduced risk credit in the banking sector.
