Analyzing Banks' Performance During the Recent Breakdowns. What Were the Main Drivers?

We observe the main e±ciency drivers of European Banking Groups after the burst of the Global Financial Crisis. This analysis is a live issue within the studies in the field of intermediation. The observed period (2010–2021) is emblematic of the complexity of the financial market in the last two decades. The e±ciency levels derive from a stochastic frontier approach; a k-means cluster analysis distinguishes the units into three homogeneous groups, so that the main determinants of the higher level of efficiency can be identified. They are linked to a particular business model, specific managerial choices, costs rationalization and liquidity optimization.