Antecedents of Financial Performance of Banking Sector: Panel Analysis of Islamic, Conventional and Mix Banks in Pakistan

Objective: This paper analyzes bank-specific, industry-specific and macroeconomic determinants of bank profitability on the sample of 25 banks, 161 observations on the Pakistani banking system in the period between 2006 and 2012. Our dependent variables include Return on Equity, Return on Assets and Earning per Share and independent variables consist of 'bank-specific determinants', industry-specific determinants', and 'macroeconomic determinants'. State Bank of Pakistan provides the data for internal factors on a yearly basis. Methodology: Different statistical techniques are used step by step to empirically test the relationship between the variables and to draw conclusions from the results of the study. Firstly, to analyze the features of the profitability determinants descriptive statistics are used. Secondly, we examine the causal relationship between bank-specific, industry specific, macroeconomic variables and profitability variables, Pearson's coefficient of correlation is used.  Panel data are used in this study so the technique used for regression is a panel regression technique which includes the pooled Ordinary Least Square, Random Effects Model and Fixed Effect Model. Hausman test is used to analyze that which technique for panel regression is more suitable for study. Results: According to the obtained results, among internal factors of bank profitability, firm size are the most important factor. Profitability is influenced by liquidity, asset quality and leverage condition of the banks. Regarding the external variables, inflation and interest rate show significant effect on bank profitability. Islamic banks show significant positive relationship with commercial banks