The impact of name change on the financial performance of savings and credit co-operatives in Kenya
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of name change, if any on the financial performance of deposit-taking savings and credit co-operatives (SACCOs) in a developing country characterized by a vibrant SACCO sector. Sparse studies exist on the impact of name changes on revenue-cost performance in mutual financial institutions such as SACCOs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a standard event methodology over a six-year period (2008-2013) to investigate the impact of name change on the return on assets (ROA) and operating profit margin (OPM). The study then uses a panel regression method to study the impact of name change on ROA and OPM for a sample of 212 deposit-taking SACCOs over the period 2008-2013.
Findings
The results, which are robust for a variety of controls, provide evidence in support of a consistent positive association between name change and subsequent financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Kenya. The positive impact of name change seems to be experienced about four years after the name change. The results reveal muted influence of regulation on name change and financial performance of SACCOs in Kenya.
Research limitations/implications
The study focuses solely on deposit-taking SACCOs in a developing country context over a six-year period only. Extending the time period and including a sample of control SACCOs operating purely back-office service activities would add power to the analyses.
Practical implications
The current study illustrates the contribution of name change on the financial performance of SACCOs in a developing country characterized by a vibrant SACCO sector. Overall, the results show that name change announcements signal an improvement in SACCOs’ future prospects.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence on the contribution of name change announcements on the financial performance of SACCOs in a developing country context. The study adds to the sparse literature on the impact of name change on the financial performance of mutual financial institutions that are not listed on the securities exchange.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank the officers at the two regulatory bodies, SASRA and the Commissioner of Cooperatives for providing data for this study. The usual disclaimer applies.
Citation
Mathuva, D.M., Muthuma, E.W. and Kiweu, J.M. (2016), "The impact of name change on the financial performance of savings and credit co-operatives in Kenya", Management Research Review, Vol. 39 No. 10, pp. 1265-1292. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-04-2015-0097
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited