Banking Sector Integration and Competition in CEMAC

Samer Y. Saab and Jerome Vacher

No 07/3, IMF Working Papers from International Monetary Fund

Abstract: This paper considers the extent of retail banking integration in the Communauté Economique et Monétaire d'Afrique Centrale (CEMAC) and the level of bank competition at the regional level. Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative indicators, the paper finds some evidence of price convergence in average interest rate spreads. However, this observed fact is not supported by an increase in cross-border flows in retail loans and deposits, and price convergence may merely reflect excess liquidity in the region. Other data also indicate that bank competition within the CEMAC as a region is limited, complementing the findings on integration. Addressing shortfalls in legal and regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and markets would facilitate integration.

Keywords: Central African Economic and Monetary Community; Banks; Competition; Bank soundness; Financial soundness indicators; Monetary unions; Economic cooperation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-ban, nep-com and nep-mon
Date: 2007-01-11
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Working Paper: Banking Sector Integration and Competition in CEMAC (2007)
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