Effects of Financial Capital on Colombian Banking Efficiency

Dario Estrada*
Colombian Central Bank
Email: destrada@banrep.gov.co
 

Poldy Osorio
Colombian Finance Ministry
E mail: posorio@minhacienda.gov.co

Abstract

In this paper we discuss cost and profit efficiency for a sample of financial institutions on the Colombian financial market in the period 1989-2003, using stochastic frontier efficiency analysis. During the period, the cost efficient frontier deteriorates, but profit efficient frontier is relatively stable. We found significant difference when we compare the efficiency scores between types of financial intermediaries. Additionally, our analysis show that the scores for profit and cost efficiency have different distribution. We found big differences between profit and cost efficiency among the different type banks. This is evidence in favor of some banks behaving collusively and capturing oligopoly rents.
JEL code
C23;D24;G21;L11
Key words:
Key words: Frontier; Efficiency; Cost; Profit; Financial Capital
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 * A first draft of this paper was financed with the funds of MAFP-II project from.  United Nations for Colombia. We want to thank Andres Arias and Alfonso Novales for their comments and suggestions. We also thank Michel Janna for his cooperation obtaining some relevant data. All errors are our own. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Colombian Central Bank and/or Finance Ministry.