Foreign Bank Origins and Efficiency in the Central and Eastern European Banking Sector

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to analyse whether the source of capital in foreign participation in the domestic banking markets of countries that joined the EU after 2004 influences the evolution of efficiency levels in domestic banks and, consequently, the efficiency levels within these markets. It assesses the level of activity of foreign commercial banks in the aftermath of the 2008 – 2012 financial crisis and explores its relationship with banking sector efficiency. The study focuses on 13 countries, including Central European, South-Eastern European and Baltic states. Using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method, the research aims to determine whether foreign banks have gained or lost influence in these markets and the foreign countries that have the best performing banks in these markets. Furthermore, it provides insights into the potential influence of sources of foreign capital on the overall performance of domestic banking markets, indicating how competition could drive high-achieving foreign banks to outperform in their established markets.