An analysis of inefficiencies in banking: a stochastic cost frontier approach

This paper examines the properties of X-inefficiencies in U.S. banking firms. We find that, after controlling for scale differences, the average small size banking firm is less efficient than the aerate large firm. Smaller firms also exhibit higher variation in X-inefficiencies than their larger counterparts. X-inefficiency on average appears to be declining over time. However, the rank ordering of X-inefficiency is significantly correlated with smaller banking firms' stock returns. ; Published in FRBSF Economic Review (1996 no. 2, p. 16-26)