Abstract:
This study attempts to evaluate the efficiency of Co-operative rural banks using a balanced
panel data set of 625 total observations during the period from 2007- 2011. All branches of co operative rural banks operating in all 25 districts in Sri Lanka were selected. For analysing the
efficiency of the above rural banks, secondary data were obtained from annual financial
statements and annual central banks reports of Sri Lanka for the study period. A non parametric Malmquist total factor productivity index was applied to evaluate the efficiency and
to identify the efficiency, it was used as dependent variable with amount of deposits and
number of branches as independent variables. Pooled regression and fixed effects were applied
using double-log model and it suggests that efficiency of the banks have changed across
districts, but it has not changed over time. Total factor productivity change of the above banks
declined average at 3.9% during 2007-2011. To identify the potential improvements of each
bank for inefficiency units in future, Frontier Analyst also was used for the 2011 data.
According to the findings, managers can identify the ways of improvements to increase the
efficiency and to enhance competitiveness in challenging economic conditions in future.
