Growth of Loan Distribution and Bank Valuation: Evidence from Vietnam

Purpose: The aim of this article is to test the link between growth of loan distribution and Bank Valuation in Vietnam’s banking sector. At the same time, the study also compared the differences in the effect of growth of loan to valuation bank in banks of different sizes, ownership rates and bank values. Research design, data and methodology: With panel data estimation techniques along with robust standard error for a sample of the banks listed on Vietnam stock exchange from 2012 to 2019. Results: Growth of loan has a positive impact on Bank Valuation (by Tobin’s Q). A closer investigation provides evidence for the differential valuation effect of loan growth depending on different features of banks. Specifically, loan growth is found positively and significantly associated with Bank Valuation in small and non-state-owned banks only. Besides, bank size, deposit, and return on equity are found negatively associated with Tobin’s Q, while loan loss provisions exhibit a positive relation with this measure of Bank Valuation. Conclusions: These findings provide contributions to the literature on the existence of the effect of loan growth on Bank Valuation. At the same time, the study also provides practical implications for policy makers in banks and investors