Drivers of Bank Solvency, Risk Provisioning and Profitability in the Armenian Banking System

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of bank-specific, regulatory and macroeconomic determinants on solvency, risk provisioning, and profitability in the Armenian banking sector. We show that abnormal loan growth is associated with a decrease in regulatory capital ratios, an increase in loan loss provisions, and a reduction in loan portfolio profitability. In addition, we observe an inverse relationship between GDP growth and bank solvency as well as profitability. Regarding regulation, we identify a decrease in regulatory capital ratios as well as a drop in profitability after the implementation of the Basel II Accord. JEL Classification: G32, G21, G2