Investment Limitations in and by Banks in Ethiopia
dc.contributor.advisor | Teshome, Tilahun (PhD) | |
dc.contributor.author | Temechew, Getnet | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2019-06-11T07:22:55Z | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2023-11-08T11:42:58Z | |
dc.date.available | 2019-06-11T07:22:55Z | |
dc.date.available | 2023-11-08T11:42:58Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2010-01 | |
dc.description.abstract | This research was conducted as an investigation into the complexities of the attempts of the Government of Ethiopia to control banking business by applying strict regulatory intervention and its impact on the participation of foreigners in the banking business in the country. To start with, the researcher accepts the universal argument that banks are unique from other business organizations. They are unique because they provide the most important contribution to any economy; they uphold the public trust and confidence; they are key players in the payment and settlement system for the government, business sector and households; they are deposit takers, liable for financial assets that are the property of the entire social system which are to be repaid, in full, on demand or on the date they are due; they playa major role in the allocation of finan cial resources, acting as an intermediary between depositors of surplus funds and borrowers in need of funds; they are highly leveraged: in comparison to commercial or industrial companies i.e. cash flow sensitive to meet repayments. This unique feature makes banking a risky business whose failure may result in systemic risk and necessitated special and strict regulatory intervention by governments. Among the various regulatory intervention mechanisms, investment limitation in banks and by banks themselves are found to be essential factors that affect them for good or bad. The nature and scope of investment in banks and by banks is regulated in different countries differently. At the same time, the performance and stability of banks have got a lot to do with the flexibility or strictness of the regulatory regime concerning investment in and by banks. The concerns related to protection of infant banking industry against POI & the regulator'S competency issues may not be neglected. But Ethiopian law is too strict in this regard. Hence, at least equity participation of foreigners is advisable.The other limitation on investment In banks is on national investors. As comparative study shows, limiting investment by 5% of the subscribed capital of a bank is too strict. This affects the capital mobilization capacity of banks in particular when viewed in r ela tion to total exclusion of FDI and prohibition of an influential shareholder not to invest in another bank. This intern directly affects the efficiency and competitive advantage of banks. Beyond that, this stringent restriction on national investors seems to be against the constitutional right of citizens to acquire property based on the theory of vested rights. Hence, if the intention is to control the power of influential shareholders, the researcher recommends that recognizing nonvoting shares is advisable. Indeed, the 5% restriction itself seems to be too strict because it affects the capital mobilization, competition capacity and efficiency of banks which needs some relaxation. Moreover, Ethiopian law has n eglected all related factors other than ownership as it does not regulate issues of pledgee and usufructory. With respect to the concern related to investment by banks, this research suggests that scope of economy of efficiency Vs undue affiliation with commercial entities, stability Vs systemic risk, the degree of investment risk Vs loan provision should be analyzed. On the other hand, it is argued that investment as a source of revenue needs due attention. As part of a concluding remark, the findings of the research confirm that it is difficult to qualify the advantages and risks associated with investment of banks in equity of commercial entities. Hence, without appriori assessment and qualification, it is not easy to suggest the optimal level of mixing. But, generally, comparative study shows that Ethiopian law takes a moderate position. Based on the result of the study, the researcher recommends that this issue demands furth er economic analysis /research. | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/18451 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | en_US |
dc.subject | Banks in Ethiopia | en_US |
dc.title | Investment Limitations in and by Banks in Ethiopia | en_US |
dc.type | Thesis | en_US |