Efficiency is generally defined as the capacity to deliver desirable results with little effort or input. A bank cannot afford to allocate limited resources at random in a competitive market. Only once the efficiency factors have been identified can resources be allocated in a conscious and effective manner. The study investigates the determinants of technical efficiency of banks in the SADC region. The study is significant in the SADC region as the block is trying to create a robust and stable banking system. This is driven by the desire to stay away from the current global financial system volatility and the region is working to develop an integrated banking system. The results show that the banks are relatively inefficient with the level of inefficiency around 40 percent. The efficiency of the banks is determined by the level of capitalisation, size of the bank, research costs and automation of the banks. The results of the study imply that that there is great scope for the banks in the SADC region to increase their efficiency. Improved efficiency will ensure banks provide services at a lower cost to clients. The study recommends adequately capitalizing banks, increasing the asset base of the banks, investing in research and the automation of the banking systems.
Keywords: Banks; Capitalisation; Data envelopment analysis; Technical efficiency; Tobit.
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