Impact of credit risk on profitability of commercial banks in Nepal

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to examine the impact of credit risk on profitability of the commercial banks in Nepal. Data were collected from the sample of 15 commercial banks operated in Nepali economy for the period of 2002/03 to 2014/15. One way Fixed Effect Model (FEM) of panel data analysis is used as a major tool of analysis. The profitability of the commercial banks is measured in terms of return on equity and is regressed on bank specific variables and macro-economic variables. The results confirmed that credit risk has the significant negative impact on profitability of commercial banks in Nepal. In addition, solvency ratio, interest spread rate, and inflation have the insignificant negative impact on profitability. In contrast, capital adequacy ratio, total assets, and GDP growth have the significant positive impact on profitability of commercial banks in Nepal. Finally, inter-bank interest rate has insignificant positive impact on profitability.