Financial flexibility of banks and its impact on enhancing risk-adjusted profitability

An analytical study of a sample of commercial banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange during the period 2005-2024

Authors

  • Abbas Abdulaali Kareem Al-Abboodi College of Administration and Economics, Iraq- Karbala.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71207/ijas.v21i86.5031

Keywords:

Financial flexibility, Financial leverage, financing gap ratio, risk-adjusted profitability.

Abstract

This research aims to examine the impact of financial flexibility on enhancing risk-adjusted profitability for a sample of six commercial banks for the period 2005–2024. Financial flexibility was measured through a number of related indicators, such as leverage (using the debt ratio) and liquidity (using the funding gap ratio), while risk-adjusted profitability was measured using indicators (risk-adjusted return on assets and risk-adjusted return on equity). The research relied on data from the annual reports of the sample banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange, employing appropriate statistical methods using) Eviews v.12) & (Excel v.16) to test the research hypotheses. The research reached a set of results, the most important of which is the existence of a statistically significant effect of financial flexibility in enhancing risk-adjusted profitability. Based on the results, the research presented a set of recommendations, the most important of which is that bank management should use risk-adjusted profitability indicators as a tool to accurately assess profitability, which helps in making informed investment and financing decisions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Abbas Abdulaali Kareem Al-Abboodi, College of Administration and Economics, Iraq- Karbala.

He holds a master's degree in banking management and is currently a doctoral student in the coursework stage.

References

1. Agrawal, Anshu, (2020), Modified total interpretive structural model of corporate financial flexibility, Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, vol.21, no.4.

2. Akpotor, Vincent Afure, (2025), Leverage Ratios and Stock Returns of Deposit Money Banks In Nigeria, Indian Journal of Financial Issues, Volume.6, Number.1.

3. Al-Aaraji, Sebyan Tareq Saeed, (2024), The Impact of Cash Liquidity and Financial Leverage on The Performance of Iraqi Banks: A Comparative Study Between Islamic and Conventional Banks, Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences (JEAS), 30(143).

4. Alshehadeh, Abdul Razzak & Abu Eid, Haneen Hussin, Al-Khawaja, Haneen Aqel, Abu Al Houl, Mohyi Aldin, Jaradat, Mohammad Sulieman, (2025), Liquidity indicators, fund utilization efficiency, and their impact on profitability in commercial banks, International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, vol. 8, no.1.

5. Antwi, Nana Agyeman Prempeh, (2015), An Assessment OF Liquidity Risk Among Listed Commercial Banks In Ghanaa, Master, Kwame Knrumah University OF Science And Technology Kumasi.

6. Chiorazzo, Vincenzo & Milani, Carlo & Salvini, Francesca, (2008), Income diversification and bank performance: Evidence from Italian banks, Journal of financial services research, vol.33, no.3.

7. Dahir, Ahmed Mohamed & Mahat, Fauziah Binti & Ali, Noor Azman Bin, (2018) Funding liquidity risk and bank risk-taking in BRICS countries: An application of system GMM approach, International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol.13, no.1.

8. Dao, Oanh Le Kieu & HO, Tuyen Thi Ngoc & LE, Hac Dinh & Duong, Nga Quynh, (2021), Multimarket Contact and Risk-Adjusted Profitability in the Banking Sector: Empirical Evidence from Vietnam, Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, Vol.8, No.3.

9. Erin, Erin & Yuniarwati, Yuniarwati, (2025), Analysis of the Influence of Financial Flexibility, Financial Distress, and Tax Policies on the Performance of Companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, Eduvest-Journal of Universal Studies, Volume.5, Number.1.

10. Faris, Ali Ahmed & Al- Suwayfi, Hayder Abdullah & Mohammed, Abdul-Hussein Jasim, Alfalahi, Hussein Abdulameer, (2021), The Impact Of Financial Flexibility On The Financial Stability Of Banks: An Analytical Study Of A Sample Of Iraqi Banks For The Period From 2006 To 2019, Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, Volume.27, Issue.6.

11. Filatie, Yichlal Simegn & Sharma, Dhiraj, (2025), Does Diversification Lead to the Financial Stability and Efficiency of Commercial Banks in Ethiopia? A Simultaneous Equation Approach, Journal of Corporate Finance Research, vol.19, no.2.

12. Hilo, Sanaa Hasan & Mkalaf, Khelood A. & Al-Hadeethi, Rami Hikmat, (2024), The Relationship between Financial Flexibility and Banking Efficiency: Application Study at Iraqi Private Banks, Technical Journal Of Management Sciences, vol.1, No.1.

13. Hossain, Shahadat & Hossain, Md Mosharraf & Chong, Vincent K., (2025), Solvency Risk of Microfinance Institutions: Does National Culture Matter?, SSRN Working Paper No. 5137800.

14. Ibe, Uchechi Great & Pibowei, Wonders Ebimotimimowei, (2022), The Effect of Financial Leverage on Corporate Financial Performance of Dangote Cement PLC (2010-2021), Available at SSRN 3874639.

15. Melianti, L. &Kontesa, M., (2022), Financial Flexibility and Business Risk Effect on Capital Structure: Insight from Indonesian Energy Listed Companies, In: Proceeding 1st Tanjungpura International Conference on Management, Economics and Accounting (TiCMEA), Vol.1.

16. Mercieca, Steve & Schaeck, Klaus & Wolfe, Simon, (2006), Small European banks: Benefits from diversification?, Journal of Banking & Finance, vol.31, no.7,

17. Mimir, Yasin, (2010), Financial intermediaries, leverage ratios, and business cycles, Munich Personal RePEc Archive (MPRA).

18. Molla, Md Ibrahim & Mustary, Maliha & Rahaman, Md. Kayes Bin & Biswas, Noyon & Das, Subarna Rani, (2025), Does revenue diversification lead to greater stability and profitability of banks? Empirical evidence from Bangladesh, LBS Journal of Management & Research.‏

19. Novalista, Lidiya Ayu & Anggraeni, Erike & Nurmalia, Gustika, (2024), Analysis of the Effect of Temporary Syirkah Funds and Operational Efficiency on Profitability with NPF as a Moderating Variable (Study on Islamic Commercial Banks 2017-2022), KnE Social Sciences.

20. Osadcenco, Mariana, (2011), Risk-adjusted performance measurement in banks, with special consideration of the EVA, Master’s Degree programme, Technische Universität Wien.‏

21. Paltrinieri, Andrea & Dreassi, Alberto & Rossi, Simone, & Khan, Ashraf, (2020), Risk-adjusted profitability and stability of Islamic and conventional banks: does revenue diversification matter?, Global Finance Journal, 50, 100517.‏

22. Radojičić, Jelena & Marinković, Srđan, (2023), Impact of income and assets diversification on Bank performance in Serbia, Economic Themes, vol.61, no.2.‏

23. Rahimi, Kazem & Mosavi, Alireza, (2016), Value of financial flexibility and firm’s financial policies: Empirical evidence from the firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange, International Journal of Economics and Finance, Vol. 8, No. 4.

24. Saunders, Anthony & Cornett, Marcia Millon, (2018), Financial Institutions Management a Risk Management Approach, McGraw-Hill Education, Ninth Edition.

25. Shah, Reeta & Haldar, Arunima & Nageswara Rao, S. V. D., (2014), Economic Value Added: A Financial Flexibility Tool, Corporate Ownership & Control / Volume.12, Issue.1.

26. ‏Shen, Chung-Hua & Chen, Yi-Kai & Kao, Lan-Feng & Yeh, Chuan-Yi, (2009), Bank Liquidity Risk and Performance, Working Paper, Department of Finance, National Taiwan University and National University of Kaohsiung.

27. Shrestha, Sankalpa, (2024), Impact of liquidity on profitability of commercial banks in Nepal, Master’s Degree programme.

28. Tsi, Anye Paul, (2018), Managing Liquidity Risk in Banks, published Dissertation, Centria University OF Applied Sciences.

29. Uddin, Mohammad Jashim& Majumder, Md. Tofael Hossain & Akter, Aklima & Zaman, Rabaya, (2022), Do the diversification of income and assets spur bank profitability in Bangladesh? A dynamic panel data analysis, Vilakshan-XIMB Journal of Management, vol.19, no.2.

30. Widati, Sindik &Asiah, Neng, Kamela, Hurian, & Hidayat, Tanti Amalia, (2024), Effective tax rates: Firm size, leverage and return on assets, International Journal of Asian Business and Management, Vol.3, No.2.‏

31. Widyatini, Ignatia Ryana & Sasmita, Raymundo Patria Hayu, (2021), Off-Balance Sheet Analysis Toward Risk-Adjusted Performance, The Indonesian Journal of Accounting Research, Vol. 24, No.1.‏

32. Yuqing, Cheng, (2023), Study on financial flexibility in the digital transformation of enterprises, Academic Journal of Business & Management, Vol. 5, Issue. 22.

33. Zhang, Haifeng & Zhang, Zhuo & Steklova, Ekaterina, (2020), Do companies need financial flexibility for sustainable development?, Sustainability, vol.12, no.5.

جدول

Published

2025-12-14

How to Cite

Abdulaali Kareem Al-Abboodi, A. (2025). Financial flexibility of banks and its impact on enhancing risk-adjusted profitability: An analytical study of a sample of commercial banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange during the period 2005-2024. Iraqi Journal for Administrative Sciences, 21(86), 273–288. https://doi.org/10.71207/ijas.v21i86.5031