Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
5. Uluslararası Bankacılık Kongresi, Uşak, Türkiye, 22 - 24 Mayıs 2025, ss.1-2, (Özet Bildiri)
The Impact of Digital Transformation on Banking Sector Efficiency: A
Comparative Panel Data Analysis of the EU and Turkey
Osman ALTAY
İstanbul Ticaret University, Faculty of Business Administration, oaltay@ticaret.edu.tr
ABSTRACT
Aim: This study examines how internet
penetration rates, a measure of digital change, impact the structures of the
banking sector in Turkey and the European Union, with a particular focus on
cross-country differences within the EU-27 bloc. The main aim of the study is
to identify disparate trends between established and developing financial
markets while considering variations in digital adoption at the national level.
Data and Method: The study
employs fixed-effects and random-effects models to investigate the relationship
between internet usage and key banking indicators (branch networks, workforce
efficiency, and adoption of digital services) utilizing panel data from 2008 to
2023. With separate models for Turkey and aggregated/disaggregated EU national
data, the analysis incorporates GDP and population as control variables.
Heterogeneity analysis among EU member states and dynamic panel estimators
serve as examples of robustness assessments.
Findings: The findings indicate that, although
to varying degrees, there are significant correlations between digitalization
and the transformation of the banking industry in both regions. While internet
usage is linked to structural changes across all markets, preliminary research
suggests that these effects are particularly pronounced in emerging nations.
The study also observes substantial differences among EU countries, indicating
that national regulatory frameworks and digital infrastructures influence the
adaptability of the banking sector.
Conclusion: Digital transformation stands
out as a vital driver of evolution in the banking sector, with impacts that
vary significantly according to market maturity and national context. The
findings underscore how country-specific factors influence the pace and nature
of digital transition in financial services.
Originality: This study enhances the
literature by offering a detailed, country-level analysis of digital banking
adoption throughout the EU-27, while keeping a comparative view with Turkey.
The research design reflects both regional trends and national particularities
in the digitalization process.
Policy Recommendations: Policymakers
should expedite mobile banking investments in emerging markets such as Turkey
while assisting EU legacy banks in adopting digital models. Tailored EU
policies should tackle national infrastructure disparities, allowing emerging
economies to bypass traditional banking where feasible. Cross-border
coordination through EU digital standards can minimize fragmentation, supported
by regulatory sandboxes for testing innovation.
Keywords: Finance, Banking, Digital Finance, FinTech.