Political system of a country and its non-performing loans: a case of emerging markets

This paper analyses the trend of non-performing loans over the last one decade in the banking sector of Pakistan. This study also examines the factors which influences on NPLs. Using data from 1998-2009, this paper argues strongly that democratic political system of a country has positive influence on the non-performing loans. It also finds statistical evidence that board size have positive association with non-performing loans while board independence and ownership concentration have negative association with non-performing loans regardless the bank type.