ANALYSIS OF THE INTEGRAL INDEX OF BANK CAPITALIZATION

Abstract

Adequate capitalization is crucial for ensuring a bank’s financial stability and, by extension, the financial security of the entire country. This importance is especially evident in terms of both the quantity and quality of capital that a bank holds to cushion potential losses. Various indicators and ratios are employed to assess the level of bank capitalization, often subject to regulatory oversight. However, there is currently no standardized methodology for calculating and analyzing this indicator. This article aims to analyze the comprehensive index of bank capitalization levels. The calculation is based on statistical reports from 34 European countries spanning the years 2010 to 2020. The author explores the main direct and indirect factors influencing the level of bank capitalization. Direct indicators include return on equity, capital to assets ratio, and the ratio of regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets. Indirect factors include return on assets, the level of non-performing loans, the number of bank branches, the ratio of expenses to income of banks, and the ratio of bank deposits to GDP.