The Effect of Bank Deregulation on Bank Performance in Nigeria

Abstract

Privatization and Deregulation is a reality in Nigeria today as a direct result of successive thrusts from the private sector which in turn has influenced government policy of deregulating major sectors of the economy over the years. Among the institutions deregulated, is the banking industry in Nigeria .This study investigates the effects of bank deregulation on bank performance in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to analyze the areas that have been deregulated in the banking sector and how it has affected bank performance. To realize these objectives, the study analyzed secondary data collected from CBN statistical bulletin by employing the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) technique. This study found out that the deregulation of the banking sector has positive and significant effect on bank performance. It was recommended that bank management should embark on effective intermediation drive that will bring all the small savers to the purview of the banks, banks should improve their total asset turnover and diversify in such a way that they can generate more income on their assets and adequate efforts should be made by banks to increase their level of investments as that will help in generating reasonable returns on their assets. Also, the banking sector regulatory authorities have a duty to perform in ensuring that good corporate governance and the best of banking practices are obtainable in the nation’s banking industry.
Keywords: Banking industry, Deregulation, Intermediation, Privatization, Performance.