Determinants of Profitability in Commercial Banks: The Case of Turkey (2003-2016)

Similar to other enterprises’, the primary financial goal of commercial banks is to maximize their market values by achieving sustainable growth and profit maximization. A sound banking system with steady profitability is also a necessity for economic growth. This study investigates the possible determinants of (commercial bank) profitability on a sample of 13 commercial banks operating in Turkey for the period of 2002-2016, including return on assets and return on equity as dependent; and liquidity, non-performing loans, capital structure, other operating costs and non-operating income as independent variables. The research model of the study is analyzed under cross sectional dependency by using econometric methods such as second-generation panel unit root tests, panel co-integration, and short-run and long-run coefficient estimation methodologies. Empirical findings indicate that liquidity and non-operating income affect both return on assets and equity positively; while non-performing loans and other operating costs affect both return on assets and equity negatively