ABSTRACT

This study assesses the relationship between Bank Specific Attributes and Off-balance Sheet Activities of Quoted Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria for a period of 6 years (2009-2014).The sample comprised of the 9 deposit money banks quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 31 December, 2014. Secondary data was from the financial statements and the stock exchange Fact Book of quoted companies in Nigeria. Correlational research design was used in the study. Multiple regression technique was employed as a tool of analysis. The bank specific attributes are credit risk, liquidity risk, profitability, capital adequacy and size. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship of liquidity risk, profitability, capital adequacy, and bank size on off balance sheet activities while credit risk had a negative and insignificant effect on off balance sheet activities. The study concluded that four out of the five explanatory variables; liquidity risk, profitability, capital adequacy, and bank size have relationship with the off balance sheet activities of Nigerian quoted deposit money banks while one has none. Therefore, it is recommended among others that the policy makers should pay attention to these activities and monitor their use, incentives should be there to develop derivatives to manage the increasing liquidity risk and lastly, profitability, capital adequacy and size should be enhanced positively.

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CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

In the recent decades, banking deregulation, technological changes, financial deepening and

innovation have lead to a more market oriented structure where firms greater than ever relying

on financial market to fund their investments. This change cut across most financial markets

especially in Canada, US, Europe, Asia and in different places around the world (Calmes &

theoret, 2010; Calmes, 2004; Roldos, 2006). The resulting outcome is major change in corporate

financing characterized by relative cut in the share of bank loan and increased share of bonds and

stocks. The transformation is challenging banking business and justified, in part, with the

financial deregulation where banks are increasingly allowed to act as security dealer and to offer

fiduciary services and portfolio advice to investors. In addition to traditional practices, banks

also begin to securitize loans, trade in financial instruments such as guarantees, commercial

papers, acceptances, letters of credit, performance bonds, indemnities that are more in line with

financial deepening process. These non tradition activities are loosely seen as off balance sheet

activities. Off balance sheet activities therefore are transactions that are not currently recognized

as assets or liability on the balance sheet but nonetheless give rise to credit risk, contingencies

and commitments are reported off balance sheet. Off balance sheet activities have become an

issue of global significance gathering controversy.