The impact of digital evolution and FinTech on banking performance: A cross-country analysis

Amidst the intricate web of economic dynamics, the significance of banking performance resonates deeply, serving as a linchpin for a nation's financial equilibrium and economic prosperity. The imperative of vigilantly tracking the trajectory of banks' performance emerges as this vigilance underpins the stabilization and fortification of credit institutions. In the contemporary milieu, a landscape characterized by rapid transformations and economic nuances, the digital sphere is propelling a substantial metamorphosis, thus catalyzing an imperative for the assimilation of financial technology (FinTech) within financial services, particularly within banking institutions. This empirical study embarks upon a discerning journey, harnessing a cross-country lens and a panel dataset encompassing five prominent nations spanning the years 2017 to 2019. The central inquiry pertains to the nuanced interplay between the digital milieu, FinTech deployment, and the fabric of banking performance. The empirical analysis reveals a noteworthy confluence: the utilization of digital platforms and FinTech solutions bears a detrimental association with the performance of banking entities categorized as high-performing. Moreover, this inquiry unveils a nexus between FinTech variables, including solidity, inflation informer, and total productivity factors, with an adverse impact on Banks' Performance. However, a silver lining emerges as the study highlights the augmentation of bank financial performance through the confluence of liquidity, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and FinTech credit infusion. Emanating from these insights, the implications cascade expansively. For bank custodians and stakeholders, an enriched comprehension of the intricate interplay between FinTech and performance crystallizes, thereby fortifying the resilience of financial institutions against adversities through performance augmentation.