This paper analyses cost efficiency in the banking sector of six South Eastern European countries over the period 1998-2003. A stochastic frontier approach, incorporating firm-specific and country-related variables, indicates a generally low level of cost efficiency, with significant...

We employ a quadratic loss function using a forward-looking rational expectations model to estimate the dynamics of banking inefficiency scores in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) over the period 1998-2005. Results show that there is heterogeneity in the speed of adjustment to the long run...

This paper opts for the stochastic frontier methodology to investigate the impact of structural reforms on profit efficiency in the banking industry of four new European Union Member States over the period 1999-2003. Our findings suggest that reforms in the banking market are of vital importance...

We employ the stochastic frontier approach and estimate a common frontier in order to examine cost and profit efficiency in the banking systems of the ten new European Union member states over the period 1998-2003. The results indicate a generally low level of cost and an even lower level of...

This paper examines the relationship between operating performance and various bank, market and macro characteristics in the new, enlarged, European banking landscape over the period 1998-2005. We investigate whether there are differences between old and new European Union member states, across...

Purpose - The aim of this study is to investigate profit efficiency in the banking industries of 11 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries for the period 1998-2005. Design/methodology/approach -The authors employ a directional technology distance function approach to measure profit...

We employ the directional technology distance function and provide estimates of bank efficiency and productivity change across Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and across banks with different ownership status for the period 1998-2003. Our results demonstrate the strong links of...

This paper provides empirical evidence that sheds new light into the dynamic interactions between risk and efficiency, a highly debated issue. First, we estimate three alternative measures of bank performance, by employing a directional distance function framework, along with a cost frontier and...