Variable Reduction and Determinants of Working Capital Management on Profits for Ghanaian Banks

Abstract

Today, several factors has contributed to the profitability of Banks. Data collected on these factors often has several variables. It is a non-trivial exercise to determine which of the factors that significantly influences the profits of Banks. This paper adopts the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on the several variables expected to influence the working capital management on the profits of banks of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). Fifteen of the several variables captured by the GSE which affect working capital management on profit were grouped into four factors using the principal component analysis. Results of the PCA identifies Convertibility factors, Risk Factor, Short term Liquidity, Operational factors, and Credit Risk factors to be the determinants of bank profits. Consequently, these factors are used to fit a linear regression model in identifying the most significant factors. Apart from credit risk factors, all the other factors were found to be significant predictors of the profit of Ghanaian banks. Investors, stakeholders, and managers of banks can use these factors to monitor and evaluate their working capital in generating profits.