Financial and social barriers to bank merger and acquisition

Abstract

This paper presents an empirical investigation of the various social and business barriers to bank merger and acquisition in Kuwait. The investigation contains an assessment of the emerging banking structure and questions the ultimate need to deregulate the banking sector. The study explores the various reasons for the lack of interest in merger and acquisition in Kuwait, contradicting the general trend in the banking industry worldwide. We analyse the performance of major banks and investigate the CEO's perception of banking consolidation and deregulation of this sector. We find that inappropriate market regulations against foreign direct investments, poor internal decision making and governance, high concentration in equity ownership, and inexperienced management dominance are major characteristics of this sector that act against any possible merger attempt, in addition to some other factors. Further, short-term benefits seem to act as secondary barriers to strategic consolidation. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]