Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of British Columbia (Canada), 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

O objetivo geral da tese é estudar os fatores que influenciaram o volume de crédito privado em três grupos de países - Grupo OCDE, BRICs e América Latina e Caribe -, entre 2004 e 2010. Com a utilização da regressão de dados em painel, os modelos desenvolvidos indicam que, para o Grupo OCDE, o Consumo Privado foi o fator relevante de maior impacto sobre a razão Crédito/PIB, e o sinal positivo de seu coeficiente indica a importância das decisões de consumo das famílias para a liquidez do setor privado, além de refletir o eventual direcionamento do crédito ao consumo. Nos BRIC\'s e na América Latina e Caribe, o sinal negativo obtido pelo saldo da Balança de Transações Correntes foi o elemento mais significativo e de maior intensidade sobre a variável dependente, sinalizando dependência de poupança externa. Além disso, foi observado que, em todos os grupos de países estudados, a magnitude do Comércio Internacional afetou positivamente o grau de endividamento privado nas economias. O significado, para os tomadores de decisão, dos resultados encontrados é analisado no final do trabalho. / The main goal of this thesis is to investigate the private credit determinants in a country between 2004 and 2010, when OECD\'s richer countries, BRIC\'s and Latin American and Caribbean faced Private Credit/GDP ratio\'s increasing. Assuming heterogeneity among regions and applying regression panel data models the outputs indicate in OECD\'s richer countries, Private Credit/GDP ratio was mainly positively influenced by the Household Consumption. In BRIC\'s and Latin America and Caribbean, the Current Account Balance was the most relevant determinant. Furthermore, International Trade affected positively Private Credit/GDP in all country groups. Finally, the significance of these findings for decision makers is analyzed.

The dissertation consists of two essays. In the first essay we study the efficiency of banks during the period of (2000-2017) that witnessed a fierce financial crisis in the light of the regulatory acts enacted in response to the crisis (Basel III 2010). We investigate the combined impact of compliance with Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital, common equity Tier 1, and leverage requirements on bank operating efficiency. We measure operational efficiency of 68 insured, U.S. federally and state-chartered, commercial banks, with consolidated assets of $15 billion or more, over a sampling period of 18 years. We seek to identify whether different dimensions of bank regulation are efficient in stabilizing US financial system by improving efficiency of large commercial banks; whether they impede bank efficiency by limiting its risk-taking endeavors and tightening its capital usage; or whether no impact on efficiency exists altogether. We build an empirical model measuring the impact of capital and leverage regulation and credit risk on banks’ operational efficiency. Empirical findings show a positive and statistically significant impact of capital adequacy on operating efficiency of large U.S. commercial banks, with common equity Tier 1 having more power in determining efficiency. Leverage requirements and net charge-offs are also found to be significant determinants that promote bank operating efficiency. In the second essay we investigate determinants for government’s choice of sovereign Sukuk over conventional bonds. Using a sample of 143 sovereign Sukuk and 602 sovereign conventional bonds issued in 16 OIC countries during (2000-2015), we analyze factors affecting the government's choice of employing sovereign Sukuk structure as substitute to sovereign bonds instruments. Results suggest that countries having developed financial markets, higher credit quality, and strong economic and financial prospects are more likely to issue sovereign Sukuk rather than sovereign bonds, mainly as a strategy to diversify and develop their current debt markets by introducing newly-developed debt tools. However, countries with weaker economic and financial indicators are more likely to opt for the classic sovereign bonds. We conclude that government’s choice of sovereign debt is mainly determined by a country’s financial characteristics, macroeconomic indicators and certain specific events.

O objetivo geral da tese é estudar os fatores que influenciaram o volume de crédito privado em três grupos de países - Grupo OCDE, BRICs e América Latina e Caribe -, entre 2004 e 2010. Com a utilização da regressão de dados em painel, os modelos desenvolvidos indicam que, para o Grupo OCDE, o Consumo Privado foi o fator relevante de maior impacto sobre a razão Crédito/PIB, e o sinal positivo de seu coeficiente indica a importância das decisões de consumo das famílias para a liquidez do setor privado, além de refletir o eventual direcionamento do crédito ao consumo. Nos BRIC\'s e na América Latina e Caribe, o sinal negativo obtido pelo saldo da Balança de Transações Correntes foi o elemento mais significativo e de maior intensidade sobre a variável dependente, sinalizando dependência de poupança externa. Além disso, foi observado que, em todos os grupos de países estudados, a magnitude do Comércio Internacional afetou positivamente o grau de endividamento privado nas economias. O significado, para os tomadores de decisão, dos resultados encontrados é analisado no final do trabalho. / The main goal of this thesis is to investigate the private credit determinants in a country between 2004 and 2010, when OECD\'s richer countries, BRIC\'s and Latin American and Caribbean faced Private Credit/GDP ratio\'s increasing. Assuming heterogeneity among regions and applying regression panel data models the outputs indicate in OECD\'s richer countries, Private Credit/GDP ratio was mainly positively influenced by the Household Consumption. In BRIC\'s and Latin America and Caribbean, the Current Account Balance was the most relevant determinant. Furthermore, International Trade affected positively Private Credit/GDP in all country groups. Finally, the significance of these findings for decision makers is analyzed.

D.Com. (Marketing Management) / The size of South Africa's banking industry grew from R398 billion in 1995 to R471 billion in 1996 while banking transactions totalled R58 634 billion during 1996. Like most other service companies, the banking industry also experiences customer turnover. During the period March 1995 to February 1996 customer switch, which refers to the closing of an account at one institution and the opening of a new account at another institution, by clients of all banks amounted to 4,9 percent. Mutual interaction between a service provider and a client is a very important determinant of customer satisfaction with a service. It is therefore important for the company to focus on the retention of customers because it is more profitable to retain a customer rather than recruiting new customers. Customer switching can damage the future stream of income of a company. The loss of a customer therefore, is not only one transaction, the company looses a life long stream of income. Customer satisfaction therefore influences the primary source of future income of most companies directly. Quality service is of utmost importance for the success and survival of companies in today's competitive environment. To be successful it is necessary for each department within the company to operate effectively and to be client orientated. Companies believe that they will be more profitable if a marketing orientation is established within the company. Employees must therefore, understand their role in the total service chain. A client's perception of a service becomes reality when he/she experiences the service during a service encounter where interaction between the customer and the company takes place with the employee as intermediary.

The diploma thesis investigates causes and progression of the mortgage crisis beginning in 2006 in the United States. Theoretical part of the thesis explains general causes of economic crises in accordance with the Austrian theory of the business cycle. Some of the basic problems of nonmonetary business cycle theories are mentioned and the most common ABCT attacks refuted. Analytical part of the thesis tries to explain why the current business cycle appeared primarily in the form of mortgage crisis. For this reason institutions playing the main role in the American mortgage market are being analysed including Federal Reserve System, government-sponsored enterprises, and three biggest rating agencies Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings. Thesis conclusion should answer the question why and how the mortgage crisis originated in the United States.