Abstract
M.Com. (Financial Management)
It has been argued that inadequate credit risk management practices and high levels of credit risk was the cause of the 2007 to 2009 global financial crisis, as well as the banking crises over the two past decades, including the 1997 East Asian crisis. As a result, banks have increasingly prioritised credit risk management to ensure acceptable levels of profitability and to keep them from collapsing. However, research on the relationship between credit risk management and profitability in banks in South Africa remains limited. Therefore, this study addressed the question of whether credit risk management has an effect on profitability in South Africa’s four major banks. A quantitative approach was used to establish the relationship between profitability, represented by return on equity (ROE), and credit risk management, represented by two variables, namely capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and the non-performing loans ratio (NPLR). Secondary data for the years 2002 to 2013 was analysed using panel regression and the study concludes that not only does credit risk management have an effect on profitability in South African banks, but that bank size, operating expenses and economic growth also affect the profitability of South African banks. These findings would enable the enhancement of profitability in South Africa through constantly improving credit risk management practices and policies, and by addressing other factors that can negatively affect profitability.