Bank Distress in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences and Solutions.

ABSTRACT

The issue of bank distress has become a disturbing one in Nigeria. 1he effective performance of a developing economy like ours depends largely on the efficiency of the banking sector. Given the consequences of bank distress, the problem has become a major source of concern to the government, the regulators of financial institutions and to the general public. This study assesses the distressing phenomenon, and the extent of distress in the banking sector and at the same time analyses the major causes, consequences and solutions to the distress. The sample size to this study is determine from the unknown population of individuals in FCT Abuja by using a simple logic of distributing total 60 research questions to respondents which form our target populations this follows that the total 45 research questions filled and returned during the exercise served the study sample size. Data for the study was drawn from both primary and secondary sources. The questionnaire instrument was used in collecting data for the study. The method of data analysis used is simple percentage method, and tabular presentation of data followed by a descriptive method of data analysis. The study confirmed the presence of distress in the banking industry, while 14°/o respondents were of the opinion that Bank distress do not have any economic implication of any kind in nations economic planning, 68% of the respondents disagreed, that Bank distress have some economic implication in nation's planning. All the main factors causing distress namely, capital inadequacy, Bad asset quality, poor management, low earnings, low liquidity and poor supervisor by regulatory Authorities which also lead to the major consequences of bank distress namely, loss of deposits and savings, foss of investments, increase in unemployment rate, non-payment of bank credits, loss of confidence and trust in the banking system and general effects on the economy. To arrest these factors that cause bank distress and to avoid the consequences of the distress syndrome, the manageme11t of banks should exhibit sound management practices, the regulatory authorities may have to use better measures of evaluating the features of distress at an early stage to prevent future damages to the economy of the nation.