This study examines the effects of non-interest income on bank performance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, addressing existing research gaps and conflicting results. The analysis is based on data from 40 banks (5 banks from each country) operating in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates between 2010 and 2022. Using correlation analysis and three regression models (OLS, FE, and RE), this study explores the relationship between non-interest income, overheads, capital adequacy, loan loss provision, bank size, and return on assets. The findings reveal positive associations among banks’ overhead, size, capital adequacy, and loan loss provision. Additionally, a favorable correlation is observed between non-interest income and bank performance. Non-interest income significantly influences the profitability of MENA region banks across all three models, supporting the main hypothesis. While the study’s limitations include sample size and geographic focus, the findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, allowing them to recognize the positive impact of increasing non-interest income on commercial bank profitability in the MENA region and consider implementing policies that encourage and support banks in diversifying their income sources.

中文翻译：

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非利息收入对中东和北非 (MENA) 地区商业银行盈利能力的影响

本研究探讨了非利息收入对中东和北非 (MENA) 地区银行绩效的影响，解决了现有的研究空白和相互矛盾的结果。该分析基于 2010 年至 2022 年间在巴林、埃及、约旦、科威特、阿曼、卡塔尔、沙特阿拉伯和阿拉伯联合酋长国运营的 40 家银行（每个国家 5 家银行）的数据。使用相关分析和三个回归模型（OLS、FE 和 RE），本研究探讨了非利息收入、管理费用、资本充足率、贷款损失拨备、银行规模和资产回报率之间的关系。研究结果揭示了银行管理费用、规模、资本充足率和贷款损失拨备之间存在正相关关系。此外，非利息收入与银行业绩之间存在良好的相关性。非利息收入显着影响中东和北非地区银行在所有三种模式下的盈利能力，支持了主要假设。虽然该研究的局限性包括样本量和地理重点，但该研究的结果为政策制定者提供了宝贵的见解，使他们能够认识到增加非利息收入对中东和北非地区商业银行盈利能力的积极影响，并考虑实施鼓励和支持非利息收入的政策。支持银行实现收入来源多元化。