Publication

This study examines the impact of banking sector regulations on bank efficiency and economic growth in four Southern Mediterranean (South-MED) countries. The authors also assess the level of convergence of regulatory practices and efficiency to EU Mediterranean standards. Chapter 1 describes the banking sectors of the Southern Mediterranean, and chapter 2 develops measures of regulatory adequacy in a number of areas and compares these with the EU-MED. Chapter 3 summarizes the analysis of efficiency and convergence between the South-MED and EU-MED, while chapter 4 provides an empirical analysis of the determinants of the efficiency scores and the regulatory adequacy measures developed. Chapter 5 provides a similar analysis for economic growth, followed by policy recommendations.