This thesis considers statistical issues in the analysis of data in the studies of chronic diseases which involve modeling dependencies between life history processes using copula functions. Many disease processes feature recurrent events which represent events arising from an underlying chronic condition; these are often modeled as point processes. In addition, however, there often exists a random variable which is realized upon the occurrence of each event, which is called a mark of the point process. When considered together, such processes are called marked point processes. A novel copula model for the marked point process is described here which uses copula functions to govern the association between marks and event times. Specifically, a copula function is used to link each mark with the next event time following the realization of that mark to reflect the pattern in the data wherein larger marks are often followed by longer time to the next event. The extent of organ damage in an individual can often be characterized by ordered states, and interest frequently lies in modeling the rates at which individuals progress through these states. Risk factors can be studied and the effect of therapeutic interventions can be assessed based on relevant multistate models. When chronic diseases affect multiple organ systems, joint modeling of progression in several organ systems is also important. In contrast to common intensity-based or frailty-based approaches to modelling, this thesis considers a copula-based framework for modeling and analysis. Through decomposition of the density and by use of conditional independence assumptions, an appealing joint model is obtained by assuming that the joint survival function of absorption transition times is governed by a multivariate copula function. Different approaches to estimation and inference are discussed and compared including composite likelihood and two-stage estimation methods. Special attention is paid to the case of interval-censored data arising from intermittent assessment. Attention is also directed to use of copula models for more general scenarios with a focus on semiparametric two-stage estimation procedures. In this approach nonparametric or semiparametric estimates of the marginal survivor functions are obtained in the first stage and estimates of the association parameters are obtained in the second stage. Bivariate failure time models are considered for data under right-censoring and current status observation schemes, and right-censored multistate models. A new expression for the asymptotic variance of the second-stage estimator for the association parameter along with a way of estimating this for finite samples are presented under these models and observation schemes.

This thesis considers statistical issues in the analysis of data in the studies of chronic diseases which involve modeling dependencies between life history processes using copula functions. Many disease processes feature recurrent events which represent events arising from an underlying chronic condition; these are often modeled as point processes. In addition, however, there often exists a random variable which is realized upon the occurrence of each event, which is called a mark of the point process. When considered together, such processes are called marked point processes. A novel copula model for the marked point process is described here which uses copula functions to govern the association between marks and event times. Specifically, a copula function is used to link each mark with the next event time following the realization of that mark to reflect the pattern in the data wherein larger marks are often followed by longer time to the next event. The extent of organ damage in an individual can often be characterized by ordered states, and interest frequently lies in modeling the rates at which individuals progress through these states. Risk factors can be studied and the effect of therapeutic interventions can be assessed based on relevant multistate models. When chronic diseases affect multiple organ systems, joint modeling of progression in several organ systems is also important. In contrast to common intensity-based or frailty-based approaches to modelling, this thesis considers a copula-based framework for modeling and analysis. Through decomposition of the density and by use of conditional independence assumptions, an appealing joint model is obtained by assuming that the joint survival function of absorption transition times is governed by a multivariate copula function. Different approaches to estimation and inference are discussed and compared including composite likelihood and two-stage estimation methods. Special attention is paid to the case of interval-censored data arising from intermittent assessment. Attention is also directed to use of copula models for more general scenarios with a focus on semiparametric two-stage estimation procedures. In this approach nonparametric or semiparametric estimates of the marginal survivor functions are obtained in the first stage and estimates of the association parameters are obtained in the second stage. Bivariate failure time models are considered for data under right-censoring and current status observation schemes, and right-censored multistate models. A new expression for the asymptotic variance of the second-stage estimator for the association parameter along with a way of estimating this for finite samples are presented under these models and observation schemes.

Структура магистерской диссертации включает в себя введение, три главы, заключение, список использованных источников и приложения. В первой главе рассмотрен потребительский кредит как вид банковского кредита, рассмотрены методы и методики оценки кредитоспособности заемщика – физического лица; проведен анализ ситуации на рынке потребительского кредитования. Во второй главе дана финансово-экономическая характеристика АО «Альфа-Банк»; рассмотрена специфика потребительского кредитования в АО «Альфа-Банк»; проведен анализ организации потребительского кредитования в АО «Альфа-Банк». В третьей главе разработаны новые кредитные продукты для физических лиц в АО «Альфа-Банк»; разработаны рекомендации по совершенствованию методики оценки кредитоспособности физических лиц. В заключении сформулированы обобщающие выводы по результатам исследования. / The structure of the master's thesis includes an introduction, three chapters, a conclusion, a list of references and appendices. In the first chapter, consumer credit as a type of bank loan is considered, methods and techniques for assessing the creditworthiness of a borrower – an individual are considered, and the situation in the consumer lending market is analyzed. In the second chapter, the financial and economic characteristics of Alfa-Bank JSC are given; the specifics of consumer lending in Alfa-Bank JSC are considered; the organization of consumer lending in Alfa-Bank JSC is analyzed. In the third chapter, new credit products for individuals were developed in Alfa-Bank JSC; recommendations were developed to improve the methodology for assessing the creditworthiness of individuals. In conclusion, the general conclusions based on the results of the study are formulated.

In this decade the emerging multicore technology will hit the automotive industry. The increasing complexity of the multicore-systems will make a manual verification of the safety and realtime constraints impossible. For this reason, dedicated methods and tools are utterly necessary, in order to deal with the upcoming multicore issues. A lot of researchprojects for new hardware platforms and software frameworks for the automotive industry are running nowadays, because the paradigms of the “High-Performance Computing” and “Server/Desktop Domain” cannot be easily adapted for the embedded systems. One of the difficulties is the early suitability estimation of a hardware platform for a software architecture design, but hardly a research-work is tackling that. This thesis represents a procedure to evaluate the plausibility of software architecture estimations and decisions at design stage. This includes an analysis technique of multicore systems, an underlying graph-model – to represent the multicore system – and a simulation tool evaluation. This can guide the software architect, to design a multicore system, in full consideration of all relevant parameters and issues. / In den nächsten Jahren wird die aufkommende Multicore-Technologie auf die Automobil-Branche zukommen. Die wachsende Komplexität der Multicore-Systeme lässt es nicht mehr zu, die Verifikation von Sicherheits- und Echtzeit-Anforderungen manuell auszuführen. Daher sind spezielle Methoden und Werkzeuge zwingend notwendig, um gerade mit den bevorstehenden Multicore-Problemfällen richtig umzugehen. Heutzutage laufen viele Forschungsprojekte für neue Hardware-Plattformen und Software-Frameworks für die Automobil-Industrie, weil die Paradigmen des “High-Performance Computings” und der “Server/Desktop-Domäne” nicht einfach so für die Eingebetteten Systeme angewendet werden können. Einer der Problemfälle ist das frühe Erkennen, ob die Hardware-Plattform für die Software-Architektur ausreicht, aber nur wenige Forschungs-Arbeiten berücksichtigen das. Diese Arbeit zeigt ein Vorgehens-Model auf, welches ermöglicht, dass Software-Architektur Abschätzungen und Entscheidungen bereits zur Entwurfszeit bewertet werden können. Das beinhaltet eine Analyse Technik für Multicore-Systeme, ein grundsätzliches Graphen-Model, um ein Multicore-System darzustellen, und eine Simulatoren Evaluierung. Dies kann den Software-Architekten helfen, ein Multicore System zu entwerfen, welches alle wichtigen Parameter und Problemfälle berücksichtigt.

In this decade the emerging multicore technology will hit the automotive industry. The increasing complexity of the multicore-systems will make a manual verification of the safety and realtime constraints impossible. For this reason, dedicated methods and tools are utterly necessary, in order to deal with the upcoming multicore issues. A lot of researchprojects for new hardware platforms and software frameworks for the automotive industry are running nowadays, because the paradigms of the “High-Performance Computing” and “Server/Desktop Domain” cannot be easily adapted for the embedded systems. One of the difficulties is the early suitability estimation of a hardware platform for a software architecture design, but hardly a research-work is tackling that. This thesis represents a procedure to evaluate the plausibility of software architecture estimations and decisions at design stage. This includes an analysis technique of multicore systems, an underlying graph-model – to represent the multicore system – and a simulation tool evaluation. This can guide the software architect, to design a multicore system, in full consideration of all relevant parameters and issues.:Contents List of Figures vii List of Tables viii List of Abbreviations ix 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Motivation 1 1.2. Scope 2 1.3. Goal and Tasks 2 1.4. Structure of the Thesis 3 I. Multicore Technology 4 2. Fundamentals 5 2.1. Automotive Domains 5 2.2. Embedded System 7 2.2.1. Realtime 7 2.2.2. Runtime Predictions 8 2.2.3. Multicore Processor Architectures 8 2.3. Development of Automotive Embedded Systems 9 2.3.1. Applied V-Model 9 2.3.2. System Description and System Implementation 10 2.4. Software Architecture 11 2.5. Model Description of Software Structures 13 2.5.1. Design Domains of Multicore Systems 13 2.5.2. Software Structure Components 13 3. Trend and State of the Art of Multicore Research, Technology and Market 17 3.1. The Importance of Multicore Technology 17 3.2. Multicore Technology for the Automotive Industry 19 3.2.1. High-Performance Computing versus Embedded Systems 19 3.2.2. The Trend for the Automotive Industry 20 3.2.3. Examples of Multicore Hardware Platforms 23 3.3. Approaches for Upcoming Multicore Problems 24 3.3.1. Migration from Single-Core to Multicore 24 3.3.2. Correctness-by-Construction 25 3.3.3. AUTOSAR Multicore System 26 3.4. Software Architecture Simulators 28 3.4.1. Justification for Simulation Tools 28 3.4.2. System Model Simulation Software 29 3.5. Current Software Architecture Research Projects 31 3.6. Portrait of the current Situation 32 3.7. Summary of the Multicore Trend 32 II. Identification of Multicore System Parameters 34 4. Project Analysis to Identify Crucial Parameters 35 4.1. Analysis Procedure 35 4.1.1. Question Catalogue 36 4.1.2. Three Domains of Investigation 37 4.2. Analysed Projects 41 4.2.1. Project 1: Online Camera Calibration 41 4.2.2. Project 2: Power Management 45 4.2.3. Project 3: Battery Management 46 4.3. Results of Project Analysis 51 4.3.1. Ratio of Parameter Influence 51 4.3.2. General Influences of Parameters 53 5. Abstract System Model 54 5.1. Requirements for the System-Model 54 5.2. Simulation Tool Model Evaluation 55 5.2.1. System Model of PRECISION PRO 55 5.2.2. System Model of INCHRON 57 5.2.3. System Model of SymTA/S 58 5.2.4. System Model of Timing Architects 59 5.2.5. System Model of AMALTHEA 60 5.3. Concept of Abstract System Model 62 5.3.1. Components of the System Model 63 5.3.2. Software Function-Graph 63 5.3.3. Hardware Architecture-Graph 64 5.3.4. Specification-Graph for Mapping 65 6. Testcase Implementation 67 6.1. Example Test-System 68 6.1.1. Simulated Test-System 70 6.1.2. Testcases 73 6.2. Result of Tests 74 6.2.1. Processor Core Runtime Execution 74 6.2.2. Communication 75 6.2.3. Memory Access 76 6.3. Summary of Multicore System Parameters Identification 78 III. Evaluation of Software Architectures 80 7. Estimation-Procedure 81 7.1. Estimation-Procedure in a Nutshell 81 7.2. Steps of Estimation-Procedure 82 7.2.1. Project Analysis 82 7.2.2. Timing and Memory Requirements 83 7.2.3. System Modelling 84 7.2.4. Software Architecture Simulation 85 7.2.5. Results of a Validated Software Architecture 86 7.2.6. Feedback of Partly Implemented System 88 8. Implementation and Simulation 89 8.1. Example Project Analysis – Online Camera Calibration 89 8.1.1. Example Project Choice 90 8.1.2. OCC Timing Requirements Analysis 90 8.2. OCC Modelling 94 8.2.1. OCC Software Function-Graph 95 8.2.2. OCC Hardware Architecture 96 8.2.3. OCC Mapping – Specification-Graph 101 8.3. Simulation of the OCC Model with Tool Support 102 8.3.1. Tasks for Tool Setup 103 8.3.2. PRECISION PRO 105 8.3.3. INCHRON 107 8.3.4. SymTA/S 108 8.3.5. Timing Architects 112 8.3.6. AMALTHEA 115 8.4. System Optimisation Possibilities 116 8.5. OCC Implementation Results 117 9. Results of the Estimation-Procedure Evaluation 119 9.1. Tool-Evaluation Results 119 9.2. Findings of Estimation, Simulation and ECU-Behavior. 123 9.2.1. System-Specific Issues 123 9.2.2. Communication Issues 123 9.2.3. Memory Issues 124 9.2.4. Timing Issues 124 9.3. Summary of the Software Architecture Evaluation 125 10.Summary and Outlook 127 10.1. Summary 127 10.2. Usability of the Estimation-Procedure 128 10.3. Outlook and Future Work 129 11. Bibliography xii IV. Appendices xxi A. Appendices xxii A.1. Embedded Multicore Technology Research Projects xxii A.1.1. Simulation Software xxii A.1.2. Multicore Software Research Projects xxiii A.2. Testcase Implementation Results xxvi A.2.1. Function Block Processor Core Executions xxvi A.2.2. Memory Access Mechanism xxvii A.2.3. Memory Access Timings of Different Datatypes xxviii A.2.4. Inter-Processor Communication xxix A.3. Further OCC System Description xxxii A.3.1. OCC Timing Requirements of the FB xxxii A.3.2. INCHRON Validation Results xxxiv A.4. Detailed System Optimisation xxxv A.4.1. Optimisation through Hardware Alternation xxxv A.4.2. Optimisation through Mapping Alternation xxxv A.4.3. Optimisation of Execution Timings xxxvii B. Estimation-Procedure Engineering Paper xl B.1. Components and Scope of Software Architecture xl B.2. Estimation-Procedure in a Nutshell xlii B.3. Project Analysis xliii B.3.1. System level analysis xliv B.3.2. Communication Domain xlv B.3.3. Processor Core Domain xlvi B.3.4. Memory Domain xlvii B.3.5. Timing and Memory Requirements xlviii B.4. System Modelling xlix B.4.1. Function Model xlix B.4.2. Function-Graph l B.4.3. Possible ECU Target l B.4.4. Architecture-Graph l B.4.5. Software Architecture Mapping li B.4.6. Domain Specific Decision Guide lii B.5. Software Architecture Simulation liii B.6. Results of a Simulated Software Architecture lv B.7. Feedback of Partly Implemented System for Software Architecture Improvement lvi B.8. Benefits of the Estimation-Procedure lvii / In den nächsten Jahren wird die aufkommende Multicore-Technologie auf die Automobil-Branche zukommen. Die wachsende Komplexität der Multicore-Systeme lässt es nicht mehr zu, die Verifikation von Sicherheits- und Echtzeit-Anforderungen manuell auszuführen. Daher sind spezielle Methoden und Werkzeuge zwingend notwendig, um gerade mit den bevorstehenden Multicore-Problemfällen richtig umzugehen. Heutzutage laufen viele Forschungsprojekte für neue Hardware-Plattformen und Software-Frameworks für die Automobil-Industrie, weil die Paradigmen des “High-Performance Computings” und der “Server/Desktop-Domäne” nicht einfach so für die Eingebetteten Systeme angewendet werden können. Einer der Problemfälle ist das frühe Erkennen, ob die Hardware-Plattform für die Software-Architektur ausreicht, aber nur wenige Forschungs-Arbeiten berücksichtigen das. Diese Arbeit zeigt ein Vorgehens-Model auf, welches ermöglicht, dass Software-Architektur Abschätzungen und Entscheidungen bereits zur Entwurfszeit bewertet werden können. Das beinhaltet eine Analyse Technik für Multicore-Systeme, ein grundsätzliches Graphen-Model, um ein Multicore-System darzustellen, und eine Simulatoren Evaluierung. Dies kann den Software-Architekten helfen, ein Multicore System zu entwerfen, welches alle wichtigen Parameter und Problemfälle berücksichtigt.:Contents List of Figures vii List of Tables viii List of Abbreviations ix 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Motivation 1 1.2. Scope 2 1.3. Goal and Tasks 2 1.4. Structure of the Thesis 3 I. Multicore Technology 4 2. Fundamentals 5 2.1. Automotive Domains 5 2.2. Embedded System 7 2.2.1. Realtime 7 2.2.2. Runtime Predictions 8 2.2.3. Multicore Processor Architectures 8 2.3. Development of Automotive Embedded Systems 9 2.3.1. Applied V-Model 9 2.3.2. System Description and System Implementation 10 2.4. Software Architecture 11 2.5. Model Description of Software Structures 13 2.5.1. Design Domains of Multicore Systems 13 2.5.2. Software Structure Components 13 3. Trend and State of the Art of Multicore Research, Technology and Market 17 3.1. The Importance of Multicore Technology 17 3.2. Multicore Technology for the Automotive Industry 19 3.2.1. High-Performance Computing versus Embedded Systems 19 3.2.2. The Trend for the Automotive Industry 20 3.2.3. Examples of Multicore Hardware Platforms 23 3.3. Approaches for Upcoming Multicore Problems 24 3.3.1. Migration from Single-Core to Multicore 24 3.3.2. Correctness-by-Construction 25 3.3.3. AUTOSAR Multicore System 26 3.4. Software Architecture Simulators 28 3.4.1. Justification for Simulation Tools 28 3.4.2. System Model Simulation Software 29 3.5. Current Software Architecture Research Projects 31 3.6. Portrait of the current Situation 32 3.7. Summary of the Multicore Trend 32 II. Identification of Multicore System Parameters 34 4. Project Analysis to Identify Crucial Parameters 35 4.1. Analysis Procedure 35 4.1.1. Question Catalogue 36 4.1.2. Three Domains of Investigation 37 4.2. Analysed Projects 41 4.2.1. Project 1: Online Camera Calibration 41 4.2.2. Project 2: Power Management 45 4.2.3. Project 3: Battery Management 46 4.3. Results of Project Analysis 51 4.3.1. Ratio of Parameter Influence 51 4.3.2. General Influences of Parameters 53 5. Abstract System Model 54 5.1. Requirements for the System-Model 54 5.2. Simulation Tool Model Evaluation 55 5.2.1. System Model of PRECISION PRO 55 5.2.2. System Model of INCHRON 57 5.2.3. System Model of SymTA/S 58 5.2.4. System Model of Timing Architects 59 5.2.5. System Model of AMALTHEA 60 5.3. Concept of Abstract System Model 62 5.3.1. Components of the System Model 63 5.3.2. Software Function-Graph 63 5.3.3. Hardware Architecture-Graph 64 5.3.4. Specification-Graph for Mapping 65 6. Testcase Implementation 67 6.1. Example Test-System 68 6.1.1. Simulated Test-System 70 6.1.2. Testcases 73 6.2. Result of Tests 74 6.2.1. Processor Core Runtime Execution 74 6.2.2. Communication 75 6.2.3. Memory Access 76 6.3. Summary of Multicore System Parameters Identification 78 III. Evaluation of Software Architectures 80 7. Estimation-Procedure 81 7.1. Estimation-Procedure in a Nutshell 81 7.2. Steps of Estimation-Procedure 82 7.2.1. Project Analysis 82 7.2.2. Timing and Memory Requirements 83 7.2.3. System Modelling 84 7.2.4. Software Architecture Simulation 85 7.2.5. Results of a Validated Software Architecture 86 7.2.6. Feedback of Partly Implemented System 88 8. Implementation and Simulation 89 8.1. Example Project Analysis – Online Camera Calibration 89 8.1.1. Example Project Choice 90 8.1.2. OCC Timing Requirements Analysis 90 8.2. OCC Modelling 94 8.2.1. OCC Software Function-Graph 95 8.2.2. OCC Hardware Architecture 96 8.2.3. OCC Mapping – Specification-Graph 101 8.3. Simulation of the OCC Model with Tool Support 102 8.3.1. Tasks for Tool Setup 103 8.3.2. PRECISION PRO 105 8.3.3. INCHRON 107 8.3.4. SymTA/S 108 8.3.5. Timing Architects 112 8.3.6. AMALTHEA 115 8.4. System Optimisation Possibilities 116 8.5. OCC Implementation Results 117 9. Results of the Estimation-Procedure Evaluation 119 9.1. Tool-Evaluation Results 119 9.2. Findings of Estimation, Simulation and ECU-Behavior. 123 9.2.1. System-Specific Issues 123 9.2.2. Communication Issues 123 9.2.3. Memory Issues 124 9.2.4. Timing Issues 124 9.3. Summary of the Software Architecture Evaluation 125 10.Summary and Outlook 127 10.1. Summary 127 10.2. Usability of the Estimation-Procedure 128 10.3. Outlook and Future Work 129 11. Bibliography xii IV. Appendices xxi A. Appendices xxii A.1. Embedded Multicore Technology Research Projects xxii A.1.1. Simulation Software xxii A.1.2. Multicore Software Research Projects xxiii A.2. Testcase Implementation Results xxvi A.2.1. Function Block Processor Core Executions xxvi A.2.2. Memory Access Mechanism xxvii A.2.3. Memory Access Timings of Different Datatypes xxviii A.2.4. Inter-Processor Communication xxix A.3. Further OCC System Description xxxii A.3.1. OCC Timing Requirements of the FB xxxii A.3.2. INCHRON Validation Results xxxiv A.4. Detailed System Optimisation xxxv A.4.1. Optimisation through Hardware Alternation xxxv A.4.2. Optimisation through Mapping Alternation xxxv A.4.3. Optimisation of Execution Timings xxxvii B. Estimation-Procedure Engineering Paper xl B.1. Components and Scope of Software Architecture xl B.2. Estimation-Procedure in a Nutshell xlii B.3. Project Analysis xliii B.3.1. System level analysis xliv B.3.2. Communication Domain xlv B.3.3. Processor Core Domain xlvi B.3.4. Memory Domain xlvii B.3.5. Timing and Memory Requirements xlviii B.4. System Modelling xlix B.4.1. Function Model xlix B.4.2. Function-Graph l B.4.3. Possible ECU Target l B.4.4. Architecture-Graph l B.4.5. Software Architecture Mapping li B.4.6. Domain Specific Decision Guide lii B.5. Software Architecture Simulation liii B.6. Results of a Simulated Software Architecture lv B.7. Feedback of Partly Implemented System for Software Architecture Improvement lvi B.8. Benefits of the Estimation-Procedure lvii

金融監理制度影響一國商業銀行經營績效的相關議題，一直受到學者與政府當局的重視，為瞭解亞洲地區銀行業在中央銀行與監理單位不同管理下的利潤效率，找出最適的制度設計，本研究根據Huang、Huang與Liu（2014）提出之隨機共同利潤邊界（stochastic meta-profit frontier），採用兩階段估計法，蒐集中國大陸、香港、印度、日本、韓國、馬來西亞、巴基斯坦、菲律賓、新加坡、斯里蘭卡、泰國以及阿拉伯聯合大公國等十二國商業銀行資料，分成開發中和已開發國家兩個群組，將環境變數納入無效率模型中，進行實證分析，比較不同群組的利潤效率差異，發掘影響效率的主要變數與方向，從而獲得重要政策意涵。 根據實證分析結果，中央銀行介入銀行監理程度越高，商業銀行利潤效率越低；金融監理單位整合程度越高，商業銀行利潤效率越高；中央銀行獨立程度越高，商業銀行利潤效率越低；已開發國家群組的平均技術缺口比率與共同邊界技術效率值皆高於開發中國家群組，符合預期。共同利潤效率最高的是日本，最低的是韓國。平均而言，各國若在共同利潤邊界上從事生產，能提升41.9%至75%的利潤。 / The effects of degrees of financial supervision on performance of commercial banks have long been important issues and drawn much attention to academic researchers and government authorities. This study applies the stochastic meta-profit frontier, recently developed by Huang, Huang, and Liu (2014), to estimate and compare profit efficiencies of commercial banks from 12 Asian countries, i.e., Mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and United Arab Emirates. We divide the sample countries into two groups, i.e., developing and developed countries. This enables us to further investigate the effects of different supervisory systems, enforced by central banks (CB) and supervisory authorities, on commercial banks’ profit efficiencies, as well as to make a suggestion about the optimal supervision regimes in the area. Note that a set of supervisory indices are considered as environmental variables that explain profit inefficiency. Using the two-stage estimation procedure, the empirical results are summarized as follows. First, it is found that bank’s profit efficiency decreases with the increase in a CB’s supervision sectors. Second, the unification of supervisory authority has positive effect on bank’s profit efficiency. Third, the more independent is the CB, the less profit efficient the commercial bank is. Fourth, banks in the group of developed countries are found to have higher technology gap ratios and meta-profit efficiencies than those in the group of developing countries, as expected. Fifth and finally, Japan and South Korea has the highest and the lowest level of meta-profit efficiency, respectively. Evidence is found that if an average commercial bank were adopting the best technology, it can earn roughly 41.9% to 75% more profits than otherwise.