Essays on the role of banking and finance in the South African economy

Abstract

The objective of the thesis is to analyse and understand the interaction between the banking sector and the economy in South Africa. To do so, we evaluate the historical evolution of productivity in the South African banking industry in chapter 2, by calculating a measure of productivity through a descriptive exercise. In chapter 3, we introduce labour dynamics of the banking industry by developing a model that links the productivity of the banking sector and macroeconomic outcomes. In chapter 4, we analyse how banking sector regulation affects the relationship between the banking sector and the macroeconomy and the contribution of banking sector regulation in determining efficiency of the sector.