Branches Around the World
22 Pages Posted: 25 Jan 2007
Date Written: February 2006
Abstract
This study extends an earlier study looking at the number of bank branches in a country, and considering the factors that influence it. Fourteen countries are involved in this study, and the influencing factors considered are the number of ATMs and EFTPOS terminals, and the level of usage of these branch alternatives, as well as the economic development of the country as measured by GDP. We find that there is no evident relationship between the existence or usage of these alternative channels and the number of branches that exist in a country. However, we do find a relationship with GDP and on the basis of country groupings, suggesting country characteristics may be a key determinant of branch numbers.
Keywords: Bank branches
JEL Classification: G21
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation