/library/oar/handle/123456789/111329 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 07:18:32 GMT 2025-12-29T07:18:32Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/119262 Title: The effect of credit risk management on performance of loan portfolios among listed commercial banks in Nigeria Abstract: Credit risk management is a critical facet of banking operations, especially in a dynamic financial environment like Nigeria. The effectiveness of credit risk management profoundly influences the performance and stability of commercial banks, which are pivotal players in the nation's economic landscape. This study delves into the intricate relationship between credit risk management practices and the performance of loan portfolios in Nigerian commercial banks. The research employs multiple regression analysis and a panel data regression, utilizing a dataset derived from secondary sources. The study examines ten major commercial banks in Nigeria: Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), Stanbic IBTC, Zenith Bank, Wema Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Sterling Bank and Union Bank which according to the market capitalisation represent ninety percent of the banking industry. Key independent variables include Loan Provision Coverage Ratio, Loan Loss Provision Ratio, Capital Control, Loan-to-Debt Ratio, and Loans-to-Total Asset Ratio. The study reveals compelling insights into the impact of credit risk management on loan portfolio performance. Notably, Loan Provision Coverage Ratio and Loan Loss Provision Ratio emerge as significant predictors, indicating that effective management of these ratios is paramount for maintaining a healthy loan portfolio. While other variables, including Capital Control, Loan-to-Debt Ratio, and Loans-to-Total Asset Ratio, do not exhibit statistically significant effects, their role in the broader credit risk management framework remains relevant. The findings underscore the critical importance of prudent credit risk management practices for Nigerian commercial banks. Effective management of Loan Provision Coverage Ratio and Loan Loss Provision Ratio is essential for mitigating loan portfolio risk and sustaining financial stability. The study also highlights the unique characteristics of each bank, suggesting that tailored risk management strategies are imperative. This research advocates for a comprehensive re-evaluation of credit risk management strategies within Nigerian commercial banks. Managers should prioritize the optimization of Loan Provision Coverage Ratio and Loan Loss Provision Ratio. Additionally, policymakers should consider the study's insights when crafting regulatory frameworks to enhance the resilience of the banking sector. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/119262 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/119261 Title: A study of the need to hold an employers’ liability insurance Abstract: The present study explores the necessity of implementing mandatory Employers’ Liability Insurance. While workplace environments should ideally be safe and conducive to employee well-being, they may also inherently pose certain risks that could lead to substantial harm through workplace injuries, if not eliminated or at least mitigated. Within the Maltese context, assigning responsibility and determining compensation for such incidents trigger lengthy legal disputes at the expense of various stakeholders including the State, employers, the injured parties and their families. A comprehensive analysis of international practices show that mandatory Employers’ Liability Insurance may serve as an efficient mechanism to promote a culture of well-being and safety practices and provide compensation to employees who experience such predicament. Adopting an interpretative case study approach, this study digs deep into eight incidents to identify relevant themes that explore the current Maltese legal system, employer’s responsibility and the effects such incidents have on employees. This study highlights the existing reliance on the judiciary and dispute resolution mechanisms and underscore the need to re-evaluate prevailing practices. It seeks to understand the far-reaching impact of the absence of Employers’ Liability Insurance. Furthermore, a survey addressed to legal and insurance professionals was used to validate the importance of the identified themes through factor analysis. This quantitative outlook served to utilise the knowledge within the industry to investigate the role of insurance and the significance of reliance on insurance. This work identified the importance of clear legislation to eliminate ambiguities that is necessitated for the effective implementation of mandatory Employers’ Liability Insurance. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/119261 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/119260 Title: Climate change and its impact on the insurance industry : a perspective for Malta Abstract: Climate change has been debated for many years and is no longer considered a scientific and environmental topic. It now heads the list of risk management and socio-economic development, becoming one of the top global concerns. There is global concern that the variation in warming is due to increased human activities that have destabilized the planet's climate. Wildfires in Sweden, temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius in the northern Arctic Circle, heat and drought in central Europe, Asia and North America. There are changes in the global climate of the planet. The Mediterranean region has experienced an average temperature rise of 1.4 degrees Celsius (°C) since the pre-industrial era; 0.4°C more than the global average. Even if future global warming is limited to 2 degrees Celsius (°C), which was depicted by the Paris Agreement, rising temperatures in summer are expected to reduce rainfall to around 10-30% especially in southern regions. This would lead to water shortages and decrease production of agricultural sector. The demand for irrigation is expected to increase between 4-18% by the end of the century. Growth in the population growth will escalate demand estimated by a further 22-74%. This population increase, industry and urban development create threats to water pollution. Public health will also be threatened by heat waves, pollution and the increased spread of disease vectors. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates, that the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting the temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius (°C), will require an estimated $3 trillion of investment every year to 2050. The investment required by governments and the private sector has led to the introduction of green bonds which has now reached about $1 trillion. The European Union has introduced Regulations on Taxonomy and Disclosures to establish a framework to facilitate sustainable investment which should contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. The Markets have responded positively easing the path for green investments. The Luxembourg Green Exchange (LGX) leads the platform for green, social and sustainable securities, currently holds 50% of all listed bonds. Malta introduced rebate schemes on electric and hybrid vehicles and the installation of solar panels and renewable energy. The Malta Stock Exchange offers incentivises to investors that issue Green Bonds and contribute to Malta's commitment for the Low Carbon Development Policy. In conclusion, the framework for economic trade and incentivised sustainable financial products contributes to the creation and maintenance of sustainable economy. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/119260 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/119257 Title: The cyber insurance market in Malta from a supply-side perspective Abstract: More than half of the world’s population is nowadays connected online. This connectivity has not only changed society and the way people interact with one another but has also largely impacted the way business is conducted. This heavy reliance on technology, interconnectivity and cloud computing, that was accelerated by Covid-19, has its advantages such as enhanced market access, easier communication with suppliers and customers, and higher operational efficiency. However, this also has its drawbacks, including the emergence of modern threats such as cyber risks. This study initially provides a comprehensive background highlighting the main reasons why cyber risks have become one of the most prominent risks worldwide, and subsequently delves into how cyber risk management and cyber insurance could complement each other to mitigate such risks. However, the main aim of this study is to investigate why the supply-side insurance market in Malta seem unwilling and/or uninterested to sell cyber insurance on a wider scale given the promising opportunities, resulting in a very low market penetration. Qualitative research was undertaken in the form of seventeen semi-structured interviews with professionals working with Maltese-based insurance companies, brokers and agencies. Interviewees were asked twenty questions and a thematic approach was subsequently adopted to present the extensive data collected. Results show that the Maltese insurance market is quite traditional and not eager to offer innovative new products, while the lack of technical knowledge on cyber insurance is evident which makes selling or marketing the product difficult. Furthermore, cybersecurity awareness and demand for cyber insurance in Malta are so low to an extent that both are almost negligible, thus resulting in the local supplyside insurance market not wanting to invest resources in cyber insurance. Although most Maltese insurance players currently believe that entering this market is presently a gamble, the majority believe that demand for cyber insurance shall increase in the future due to various reasons, thus representing a renewed opportunity for the Maltese insurance market to offer this product. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT /library/oar/handle/123456789/119257 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z