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We examine the determinants of profitability for a large sample of US banks over the period 1984–2010. Specifically, we assess the extent to which short-run profits persist, and whether such persistence is affected by changes in regulation and the recent financial crisis. Our findings suggest that the competitive process reduces positions of abnormal profitability, albeit this is not immediate. There is also evidence that changes in regulation enacted during the 1990s affected both the level and persistence of bank profitability. The financial crisis of 2007–2010 appears to have resulted in an increase in the persistence of bank profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses survey data and instrumental variables’ methods to assess whether in the USA the prices of credit cards (annual percentage rates, APRs) reflect the short- and long-term risks of cardholders (measured as unpaid credit card debt in the previous year, outstanding debt and Fair Issac Corporation score). We find a negative relationship between APRs and long-term risk. This effect is pronounced for sub-prime cardholders. This suggests that higher risk consumers shop around more intensively for credit cards offering the best terms and conditions. However, under stressed economic conditions, issuer banks increase APRs to account for short-term risk. Credit card characteristics, including network affiliation and issuer brand, play an important role in the pricing decisions of issuer banks. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines the determinants and convergence of bank profitability in eight European Union member countries, between 1992 and 2007, using a dynamic panel model. Average profitability is higher for banks that are efficient and diversified, but lower for those that are more highly capitalised. There is evidence of persistence of excess profit from one year to the next. The persistence of profit was lower in 1999-2007 than it was in 1992-98 in all eight countries. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis of an increase in the intensity of bank competition as a result of an increase in the integration of EU financial markets following the introduction of the euro in 1999, and the implementation of the Financial Services Action Plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]