BANKING SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A BOOTSTRAP PANEL GRANGER CAUSALITY ANALYSIS

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the Granger causal relationship between banking sector development and economic growth for forty developing countries in the period 1970-2012. We devised two indices to comprehensively assess the development of the banking sector and employed a panel bootstrapped approach for Granger causality testing. This method adequately addresses concerns related to cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity. Our empirical findings offer modest backing for the supply-leading, demand-following, and complementarity hypotheses. Moreover, our analysis suggests a causal relationship between banking sector development and economic growth across twenty-five countries. This paper investigates the relationship between banking sector development and economic growth in developing countries using a Bootstrap Panel Granger Causality Analysis. The banking sector plays a crucial role in fostering economic development by mobilizing savings, allocating capital efficiently, and channeling investments into productive sectors. However, the precise nature of the causal linkages between banking sector development and economic growth remains subject to empirical scrutiny, particularly in the context of developing economies characterized by diverse institutional settings and economic structures. Employing a panel data approach, this study examines the causal dynamics between banking sector development and economic growth across a sample of developing countries. By leveraging the richness of cross-country variation and time-series dynamics, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of the symbiotic relationship between banking sector development and economic growth. Our discoveries illuminate the causal connection between banking sector advancement and economic growth in developing nations, presenting significant insights for policymakers, economists, and scholars. Through informing policy discussions and promoting data-driven decision-making, this research contributes to the crucial goals of sustainable development and inclusive growth in developing economies.