European banking groups’ efficiency in a decade: an empirical investigation on the determinants

After analysing the determinants of the best efficiency levels achieved by the Euro-Area banking groups, this paper suggests some managerial and policy recommendations. We employ a stochastic frontier model to measure the efficiency levels of the banking groups in the period 2009–2018. Then, with a cluster analysis, we identify the most relevant efficiency determinants of the best practice units. The results reveal that the main causes of the high level of efficiency are linked to the business model and to specific managerial choices. These research findings have great micro and macro implications in the light of the structural changes that are transforming the physiognomy of the banking system. Few studies focused on such a particular topic after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis; another strength of this study is that the analysis involves a period able to represent the complexity of the banking and financial markets in the last decade.