Iranian Banks Research Articles

Banks’ financial performance analysis: an experience from an Islamic economy

Purpose This study aims to analyze the performance efficiency of private commercial banks in Iran as an Islamic economy. Design/methodology/approach A meticulously chosen sample comprising 15 private banks from 2020 to 2023 has been examined. This study uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) models, specifically the Constant Returns to Scale (CCR) with input orientation and the Variable Returns to Scale (BCC) with input orientation, to scrutinize performance efficiency relative to the banking sector’s average efficiency ratio. Findings The findings indicate that the performance of decision making units is superior in BCC models when determined with CCR models. The CCR-I analysis spanning 2020–2023 reveals that only two banks consistently demonstrated full efficiency performance, attaining a 100% efficiency score across all years. The observed fluctuations in banks’ efficiency performance are attributed to disparities between the growth or reduction in inputs and the corresponding augmentation or diminution in outputs. Research limitations/implications This paper has some limitations. First, selecting inputs and outputs for the DEA models is crucial, as this study’s results are sensitive to these choices. Second, this research focused exclusively on the efficiency of private banks and did not assess the efficiency of governmental banks. Practical implications The insights from this study can be valuable for bank managers in evaluating performance, regulators in maintaining financial stability and investors and market analysts in enhancing their investment strategies through bank performance analysis. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to propose a framework for evaluating and forecasting commercial bank performance in an Islamic background. This model for prediction performance would be helpful for future research on the banking sector. In addition to improving Islamic banking literature, this research contributes to the literature regarding the analysis methods usually used.

News Sentiment and Liquidity Risk Forecasting: Insights from Iranian Banks

This study addresses the critical challenge of predicting liquidity risk in the banking sector, as emphasized by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. Liquidity risk serves as a key metric for evaluating a bank’s short-term resilience to liquidity shocks. Despite limited prior research, particularly in anticipating upcoming positions of bank liquidity risk, especially in Iranian banks with high liquidity risk, this study aimed to develop an AI-based model to predict the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) under Basel III reforms, focusing on its direction (up, down, stable) rather than on exact values, thus distinguishing itself from previous studies. The research objectively explores the influence of external signals, particularly news sentiment, on liquidity prediction, through novel data augmentation, supported by empirical research, as qualitative factors to build a model predicting LCR positions using AI techniques such as deep and convolutional neural networks. Focused on a semi-private Islamic bank in Iran incorporating 4,288,829 Persian economic news articles from 2004 to 2020, this study compared various AI algorithms. It revealed that real-time news content offers valuable insights into impending changes in LCR, particularly in Islamic banks with elevated liquidity risks, achieving a predictive accuracy of 88.6%. This discovery underscores the importance of complementing traditional qualitative metrics with contemporary news sentiments as a signal, particularly when traditional measures require time-consuming data preparation, offering a promising avenue for risk managers seeking more robust liquidity risk forecasts.

Efficiency analysis in bi-level on fuzzy input and output

To enhance the conventional framework of data envelope analysis (DEA), a novel hybrid bi-level model is proposed, integrating fuzzy logic with triangular fuzzy numbers to effectively address data uncertainty. This model innovatively departs from the traditional DEA’s ’black box’ approach by incorporating inter-organizational relationships and the internal dynamics of decision-making units (DMUs). Utilizing a modified Russell’s method, it provides a nuanced efficiency analysis in scenarios of ambiguous data. The study aims to enhance the accuracy and applicability of Data Envelopment Analysis in uncertain data environments. To achieve this, a novel hybrid bi-level model integrating fuzzy logic is presented. Validated through a case study involving 15 branches of a private Iranian bank, the model demonstrates improved accuracy in efficiency assessments and paves the way for future research in operational systems uncertainty management. The results indicated that, among the 15 branches of a private Iranian bank analyzed for the year 2022, branches 1, 10, and 11 demonstrated leader-level efficiency, while branch 3 exhibited follower-level efficiency, and branch 1 achieved overall efficiency. These branches attained an efficiency rating of E++, signifying a high level of efficiency within the model’s parameters.

Effect of Vocal Function Exercises on the Voice Handicap Index, Vocal Fatigue Index, and Number of Vocal Fatigue Symptoms in Bank Workers: Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vocal fatigue (VF) is a significant portion of occupational voice disorders. Researchers have proposed numerous therapeutic approaches to alleviate VF. However, the efficacy of vocal function exercises (VFEs) as a safe, effective, and simple method is unclear. The current study aims to investigate the effect of VFEs on occupational-related VF in Iranian bank workers. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial with four-level blocking After screening 444 workers, 43 persons with vocal fatigue (VF) were allocated between intervention and control groups. The gender of participants was considered a confounding parameter. Intervention group participants (IGP) (20 males and two females) practiced vocal function exercises (VFEs) (online training) for two weeks, while control group participants (CGP) (20 males and a female) continued their routine lifestyle. The Number of Vocal Fatigue Symptoms (NoVFS), Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) at pre-intervention and post-intervention levels were gathered and compared. According to the intergroup, pre-/post-intervention differences, and intragroup analysis, the IGP experienced a significant reduction in the NoVFS (P = 0.006, P = 0.009), the mean score VHI (P:0.006, P: 0.001, P: 0.001), the total mean score of VFI (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and the first (P = 0.005, P = 0.002, P < 0.001) and second (P = 0.006, P < 0.001) factors' mean score of VFI. Additionally, there was an improvement in the MPT (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001) and the third factor (P = 0.01, P = 0.004, P = 0.021) mean score of VFI. Vocal function exercises can alleviate symptoms, voice handicaps, tiredness, avoidance, and physical discomfort of vocal fatigue in bank workers. Additionally, it can improve glottal (pulmonary) sufficiency and rest recovery of vocal fatigue in this group of workers.

A firm-specific Malmquist productivity index model for stochastic data envelopment analysis: an application to commercial banks

In the data envelopment analysis (DEA) literature, productivity change captured by the Malmquist productivity index, especially in terms of a deterministic environment and stochastic variability in inputs and outputs, has been somewhat ignored. Therefore, this study developed a firm-specific, DEA-based Malmquist index model to examine the efficiency and productivity change of banks in a stochastic environment. First, in order to estimate bank-specific efficiency, we employed a two-stage double bootstrap DEA procedure. Specifically, in the first stage, the technical efficiency scores of banks were calculated by the classic DEA model, while in the second stage, the double bootstrap DEA model was applied to determine the effect of the contextual variables on bank efficiency. Second, we applied a two-stage procedure for measuring productivity change in which the first stage included the estimation of stochastic technical efficiency and the second stage included the regression of the estimated efficiency scores on a set of explanatory variables that influence relative performance. Finally, an empirical investigation of the Iranian banking sector, consisting of 120 bank-year observations of 15 banks from 2014 to 2021, was performed to measure their efficiency and productivity change. Based on the findings, the explanatory variables (i.e., the nonperforming loan ratio and the number of branches) indicated an inverse relationship with stochastic technical efficiency and productivity change. The implication of the findings is that, in order to improve the efficiency and productivity of banks, it is important to optimize these factors.

Essential oil variation of Achillea filipendulina populations in farm condition

ABSTRACT Achillea filipendulina is a native aromatic plant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This research aimed to determine and compare the essential oil content and composition of different populations of this plant in farm condition. Seeds provided by the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran were sown in a field experiment over two years. Essential oils from the aerial parts of all populations, at full flowering stage, were obtained by hydro-distillation and analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil yields ranged from 0.13% to 1.20%. Twenty-six compounds were identified with 1,8-cineole (2.0–73.5%), santolina alcohol (14.2–35%) and borneol (0.6–20.4%) as major components. Cluster analysis divided all accessions into two clusters. The main compounds in cluster 1 (two populations) were santolina alcohol, borneol, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, bornyl acetate and α-pinene. The oils in Cluster 2 contained borneol, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate and high amount of 1,8-cineole (22.6–73.5%) as main components.

Presenting a content marketing process model in Iran's banking industry (Case Study:Bank mellat)

The banking industry is one of the most important sectors of any economy. Leading banks try to increase their market share and profitability by using new marketing methods in the best possible way. Changes in the environment and technology have made content marketing one of the most popular concepts in today's marketing; Based on this, the existence of a comprehensive framework that includes all dimensions of the content marketing process is one of the requirements for its effective implementation, which requires in-depth knowledge and analysis. The present study aims to provide a well-argued and reliable framework based on foundation data theory for content marketing in Iran's banking industry. This research is practical in terms of purpose and in terms of survey-exploratory approach. The statistical community in this research is a group of academic experts and banking industry experts who have been purposefully selected and subjected to in-depth interviews. This selection and conducting of interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached and it was stopped after conducting interviews with 15 experts. Data analysis was done in a regular and continuous process in three stages: open, axial and selective coding. In the open coding stage, 188 concepts were extracted from 533 initial codes, 41 categories were extracted through axial coding, and finally 10 main categories were obtained. Finally, the general research model was designed after extensive study of the research background.

Design and Explanation of an Electronic Customer Relationship Management (E-CRM) Model to Enhance Customer Loyalty in Private Banks of Iran

Objective: The objective of this study is to design and explain a model of electronic customer relationship management (E-CRM) aimed at increasing customer loyalty in private banks in Iran. Methodology: This applied research employed a descriptive-survey method, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A Delphi panel consisting of 35 experts from private banks contributed to identifying key E-CRM variables. In the quantitative phase, a sample of 384 bank managers and senior experts participated through a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling and PLS software were used for data analysis, ensuring a robust model fit and validation through reliability tests like Cronbach's alpha. Findings: The study identified critical influencing factors for E-CRM, categorized into human, technological, and organizational components. The model showed significant positive impacts on customer satisfaction and loyalty, with technological factors like IT management being the strongest predictors. Customer interaction, value creation, and organizational readiness for change also demonstrated notable influences. The findings support the integration of technological advancements and customer-centric approaches in private banking. Conclusion: The developed E-CRM model effectively enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty in the private banking sector. By focusing on human, technological, and organizational factors, private banks can improve long-term relationships with their customers, fostering increased loyalty. These insights highlight the need for continued investment in customer relationship technologies and staff training for optimal E-CRM performance.

Identification and Prioritization of New Financial Provision Methods to Enhance Speed and Transparency in Financial Reporting Using the Analytic Network Process (ANP) Technique

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize new financial provision methods to increase the speed and transparency of financial reporting in private banks in Iran. Method: The current research method is quantitative and survey-based. The study comprises two populations. The first population consists of 95 banking and economic managers, and the second population includes 30 academic professors with master's and doctoral degrees in accounting, financial management, and information technology. Due to the small size of the first population, census sampling was employed, and for the second population, judgmental sampling with 25 participants was used. Data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and a pairwise comparison questionnaire. Findings: The findings of the study revealed that all considered variables, including payment technology, financial management technology, money transfer/remittance technology, international money transfer technology, insurtech technology, lending and crowdfunding technology, and capital market technology, are effective in enhancing the speed and transparency of financial reporting. Moreover, the findings indicated that money transfer technology, insurtech technology, international money transfer technology, capital market technology, financial management technology, lending and crowdfunding technology, and payment technology, in order of importance, have the highest significance in increasing the speed and transparency of financial reporting. Conclusion: Financial system planners can focus on prioritizing new methods of financial provision to enhance the speed and transparency of financial reporting.

Extending Intention to Use Electronic Services Based on the Human–Technology Interaction Approach and Social Cognition Theory: Emerging Market Case

After several years of providing extensive e-banking services, customers' acceptance and use of e-banking systems are major competitive advantages for banks and other IT-based institutions. Reports are indicated, a wide range of people is reluctant to use e-banking services effectively. Accordingly, this research aims to improve users&#x2019; attitudes and intentions to use e-banking in a transition economy. To achieve this aim, the social cognition theory is employed within the framework of human&#x2013;technology interaction as a novel approach to extend the technology acceptance model. To this effect, partial-least-squares structural equation modeling is applied to study survey data of five Iranian banks. The results show that users&#x2019; innovativeness, compatibility, vicarious experience, and flexibility in electronic learning significantly influenced their attitude, but technophobia inversely influenced the intention to use e-banking. Regarding technology aspects, quality of functional structure was the sole factor that significantly influenced intention to use e-banking while the influence of online interactive structure, innovative structure, and security structure on users' intention was not confirmed. We conclude that banks in most transition economies that have similar socioeconomic conditions could influence users&#x2019; attitudes and intentions toward e-banking by drawing from the insights of this study, thus enabling the banks to make more informed choices about investing in Internet banking.

Designing a Model of Professional Ethical Ideals Based on the Dimensions of Organizational Structure and Managers' Thinking Styles in Islamic Banking at the Agricultural Bank of Iran

Objective: The objective of this research is to design a model of professional ethical ideals based on the dimensions of organizational structure and managers' thinking styles in Islamic banking at the Agricultural Bank of Iran. Methodology: This study is classified as applied research in terms of its purpose, and as a descriptive correlational study in terms of data collection methods. The statistical population includes two groups: the first group consists of 50 experts and professors in management and banking and ethics, who hold at least a doctoral degree and were selected through random sampling. The second group includes all senior managers, provincial managers, and top-ranking heads at the Agricultural Bank, totaling 430 individuals. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS23 and AMOS23 software, Pearson correlation coefficients, and structural equation modeling. Findings: The results showed that the direct effect of the exogenous variable of legal thinking style (p &lt; .05, t = 2.11, β = .12), holistic thinking style (p &lt; .05, t = 2.64, β = .13), free-thinking style (p &lt; .05, t = 7.34, β = .57), autocratic thinking style (p &lt; .05, t = 2.532, β = .16), organizational complexity (p &lt; .05, t = 2.65, β = .32), formality (p &lt; .05, t = 5.84, β = .21), and organizational centralization (p &lt; .05, t = 5.99, β = .85) on the variable of professional ethical ideals in Islamic banking is positive and significant. Additionally, the direct effect of the exogenous variable of conservative thinking style on the variable of professional ethical ideals in Islamic banking is negative and significant (p &lt; .05, t = 6.26, β = -.43). Conclusion: Support for and backing of producers and exporters, farmers, industrialists, and others should be a serious concern for banks. Therefore, it is recommended that Islamic banks fully comply with the policies of the Islamic government and the laws and regulations of the central bank, avoiding any form of sectionalism and profit-seeking outside these laws and regulations.

Credit rating ranking of Iranian banks based on CAMELS and hybrid multi-criteria decision analysis methods in uncertain environments

Credit rating ranking of Iranian banks based on CAMELS and hybrid multi-criteria decision analysis methods in uncertain environments

Designing a Paradigmatic Model for Social Media Marketing in the Iranian Banking Services Industry

Designing a Paradigmatic Model for Social Media Marketing in the Iranian Banking Services Industry

Expression Profiling of ADAMTS (L) Superfamily of Genes in Various Human Eye Tissues.

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) is a superfamily of extracellular proteinases found in both mammals and invertebrates. Although there is some evidence about the role of ADAMTSs in ocular diseases such as glaucoma and ectopia lentis, but there is little information about the expression patterns of ADAMTS-1-20 and ADAMTS-like (ADAMTSL-1-6 and PAPLN) genes in human ocular tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the expression profiling of ADAMTS(L) superfamily of genes in different ocular tissues based on age. In 2019, nine human donated eye globes were provided from the Central Eye Bank of Iran, and were divided into three different groups based on age (under 3 yr old, between 20 to 50 and upper 50 yr old). To assess expression patterns of ADAMTS(L) genes in different ocular tissues including trabecular meshwork, lens, retinal pigment epithelium, macula, and optic nerve in the three age groups, total RNA was extracted from the tissues and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction followed by Real-time PCR was performed. We demonstrated not only each member of ADAMTS(L) superfamily shows different expression pattern between the five investigated ocular tissues, but also some members have differential expressions among the investigated age groups in same tissues. Differential expression of ADAMTS(L) genes in ocular tissues from different age groups could explain some functional aspects of the tissues and also may be used as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers for ocular diseases and pathologies. Further studies are required to explore their functional roles associated with ocular pathologies.

Pathology Implementation of Linkage Banking in Iran: Using SWOT Factor Analysis

Pathology Implementation of Linkage Banking in Iran: Using SWOT Factor Analysis

Prospecting of enabling skills in Iran's banking industry« case of study: Saderat Bank»

Prospecting of enabling skills in Iran's banking industry« case of study: Saderat Bank»

Thickness Profile of Donated Corneas Preserved in Optisol-GS versus Sinasol: An Ex-vivo Study.

This study aimed to compare the thickness profile and the endothelial cell density (ECD) of donated corneas maintained in Optisol-GS with those preserved in Sinasol over seven days. Twenty paired donor corneas were received from the Central Eye Bank of Iran. After recording the osmolarity of each medium, one of each of the cornea pairs was preserved in either Optisol-GS or Sinasol media. Then, slit-lamp biomicroscopy and specular microscopic examinations were performed at the baseline and on day seven. Visante optical coherence tomography (V-OCT) was also performed at 1 hour (h), 24h, 72h, and one week post-preservation. The specular microscopic and V-OCT values were then compared between the two groups. The mean osmolarity of the Sinasol group was significantly less than the Optisol-GS group (296 vs. 366 mOsm/L, = 0.0008). The mean central corneal thickness at the measurement points was comparable between the two groups. However, the increase of thickness one week post-preservation in the Sinasol group was remarkably lower than those in the Optisol-GS group ( = 0.027). The mean ECD was comparable between the groups at the baseline and on day seven. However, the mean change of ECD from baseline to day seven was considerably higher in the Optisol-GS group than in the Sinasol group ( = 0.019). Corneal storage in Sinasol over seven days provides better and superior maintenance and preservation of corneal tissue deturgescence and a lower rate of ECD loss over Optisol-GS.

Donor Risk Factors and Environmental Conditions Associated With Poor-Quality Corneas: An Analysis of the Central Eye Bank of Iran (2018-2021).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the donor risk factors and environmental conditions associated with poor-quality corneas using the database of the Central Eye Bank of Iran over 4 years. This cohort study was conducted on the recorded data of all donated corneas at the Central Eye Bank of Iran database from March 2018 to March 2022. Donors' characteristics and tissue variables were extracted from the database. The final corneal quality was determined based on slitlamp biomicroscopic observations and the results of specular microscopy. Environmental variables were also obtained from reliable resources. Risk factors for poor-quality corneas were calculated using logistic mixed-effect regression analysis. All analyses were performed with STATA 17.0. The significance level of 0.05 was considered for all the analyses. The data of 20,625 eyes of 10,601 donors were evaluated. We found that donor age had an inverse correlation with endothelial cell density (r = -0.28, P < 0.001). The trend of donated corneal poor quality decreased between 2018 and 2021. Several factors, including intoxication (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29), obesity (OR = 1.34), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.63), hypertension (OR = 1.52), and pseudophakic eyes (OR = 1.56), were associated with the poor quality of donated corneal tissues. The outdoor temperature over 26°C was associated with higher odds of poor corneal quality (OR = 1.31), whereas high relative humidity decreased the odds of poor corneal quality (OR = 0.82). This study revealed that the cause of donor death, obesity, donor comorbidities, pseudophakia, and environmental factors could affect the corneal quality and make the donated corneas less suitable for transplantation.

Lessons learned from behaviors of the employees in Iranian banks during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis: A phenomenological study

The aim of this research is to analyze the experiences of employees during the Covid-19 pandemic cri-sis and conceptualize the lessons learned to deal with similar crises in the future. To achieve this, a qualitative approach with a phenomenological strategy was conducted through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 16 front-line employees of Bank Melli, the largest state bank in Iran. The study found that employee behavior plays a critical role in crisis management, with functional behaviors such as preventive measures, stress management, and sharing valid information being essential. Dysfunctional behaviors such as resistance to change and inconsistent behaviors were also identified. The prevention of infection and stress management were identified as key behaviors to cope with the crisis, while media literacy and acceptance of change were crucial for correct information analysis and crisis management. Overall, the study highlights the challenges faced by employees during the Covid-19 crisis and provides valuable lessons from a behavioral perspective for managers in the banking industry to manage disruptions caused by current and future pandemics. The study emphasizes the importance of learning from the lessons of the Covid-19 crisis to reduce negative effects on physical and mental health.

Frequency and Underlying Causes of Alloimmunization Against Red Blood Cell Antigens in Patients Referred to the Blood Bank of the Tertiary Referral Hospital of Tehran from 2018 to 2020.

Alloimmunization against blood group antigens is an important non-infectious complication of blood transfusion, and early detection of these alloantibodies by antibody screening before transfusion is crucial. Identifying which underlying factors will affect the occurrence of alloimmunization will be necessary to manage this event as accurately as possible. We aimed to assess the prevalence rate and main determinants of RBC alloimmunization among patients referred to a large referral blood bank in Iran. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on all patients referred to a blood bank at Imam Khomeini Hospital between October 2018 and September 2020. Information was collected by referring to the archives of the hospital information system as well as the documents recorded at the blood bank ward and reviewed by two pathologists and completed documents. In total, 39270 cases were cross-matched. Accordingly, the frequency of alloimmunization cases was equal to 220 cases, which indicated a prevalence of 0.56%. The most common alloantibodies were anti-K (43.2%, 95% CI: 36.8‒49.5), anti-E (34%, 95% CI: 27.7‒40.5), and anti-C (16.3%, 95% CI: 11.4‒21.4). Among patients with positive alloimmunization, the most common blood groups were blood group B (34.6%), followed by blood group A (34.1%). Most of these patients were Rh-positive (77.3%). In patients with positive alloimmunization, the frequency of hemoglobinopathy was estimated to be 37.7%. Frequent blood transfusions were found in 42.2%, a history of malignancy in 17.3%, graft history in 11.3%, and a history of pregnancy in 35.0%. Alloimmunization was more prevalent and more predictable among patients with hemoglobinopathies and those receiving recurrent transfusions. Therefore, a history of repeated blood transfusions should be regarded as a risk factor contributing to alloimmunization.