Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the Tajik banking sector Core Insights - Despite significant reforms in recent years, Tajikistan's financial intermediation remains behind structural peers and the Caucasus and Central Asia region, with bank interest margins significantly higher than those of peers, ranking among the highest globally [4][10] - The study identifies specific bank factors such as income diversification, loan size, risk aversion, market power, credit risk, and the macroeconomic and institutional environment as key determinants of interest margins [4][28] - The findings suggest substantial room for enhancing the banking operating environment, promoting economies of scale, and increasing competitive space [4] Summary by Sections Introduction - The private credit to GDP ratio in Tajikistan was only 12.4% as of the end of 2023, indicating low financial intermediation and posing a barrier to sustainable and inclusive growth [9] - High interest margins are linked to credit rationing, resulting in lower credit levels for borrowers [10][11] Methodology and Data - The analysis utilized a unique panel dataset from the National Bank of Tajikistan covering 19 commercial banks from Q1 2011 to Q4 2022, incorporating both bank-specific and macroeconomic variables [42][27] Results - The results strongly support the importance of bank-specific factors in explaining the differences in Tajikistan's net interest margins, with operational efficiency and perceived credit risk being critical determinants [28] - Higher operational costs lead to wider interest margins, with a 1% decrease in operational costs associated with a nearly 500 basis point reduction in interest margins [59] - The study also highlights the role of market power, risk aversion, and ownership structure in influencing interest margins, with state-owned banks associated with higher margins compared to foreign-owned banks [28][29] Policy Implications - To reduce interest spreads and achieve financial deepening, the report suggests promoting bank consolidation for economies of scale, enhancing competition through regulatory frameworks, and improving the operational environment [29]
塔吉克斯坦银行利差的决定因素
世界银行·2025-01-24 23:03