Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee

This study investigates the influence of credit risk on the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Pakistan, with a particular focus on the moderating role of the Board Risk Committee Index (RCINDEX). Using panel data from 19 microfinance banks spanning the years 2012 to 2021,...

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Main Authors: Khalid, Hafeez, Salawati, Sahari, Burhan, Ahmed
Format: Article
Language:en
Published: Human Resource Management Academic Research Society 2025
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Online Access:http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/50002/2/Credit%20Risk.pdf
http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/50002/
https://hrmars.com/index.php/IJARBSS/article/view/26079/Credit-Risk-and-Microfinance-Performance-in-Pakistan-The-Moderating-Role-of-Board-Risk-Committee
http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v15-i9/26079
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author Khalid, Hafeez
Salawati, Sahari
Burhan, Ahmed
author_facet Khalid, Hafeez
Salawati, Sahari
Burhan, Ahmed
author_sort Khalid, Hafeez
building Centre for Academic Information Services (CAIS)
collection Institutional Repository
content_provider Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
content_source UNIMAS Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
description This study investigates the influence of credit risk on the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Pakistan, with a particular focus on the moderating role of the Board Risk Committee Index (RCINDEX). Using panel data from 19 microfinance banks spanning the years 2012 to 2021, the study applies fixed-effects regression with robust standard errors to assess the relationships among key variables. Credit risk is proxied by Portfolio at Risk (PAR) and Non-Performing Loans (NPL), while financial performance is measured using Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Operational SelfSufficiency (OSS). The RCINDEX is constructed as a standardized composite of risk committee size, independence, and competence. The findings reveal that both PAR and NPL are significantly negatively associated with MFI performance, indicating that increased credit risk compromises profitability and sustainability. However, the RCINDEX exhibits a significant positive moderating effect, suggesting that well-structured risk committees can mitigate the adverse consequences of credit risk. These results align with agency and stakeholder theories, which highlight the critical role of governance mechanisms in managing risk and enhancing institutional performance. The study offers practical implications for MFI regulators, boards of directors, and policymakers seeking to strengthen governance frameworks and ensure financial sustainability in emerging economies.
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spelling my.unimas.ir-500022025-10-22T00:50:55Z http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/50002/ Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee Khalid, Hafeez Salawati, Sahari Burhan, Ahmed HG Finance This study investigates the influence of credit risk on the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Pakistan, with a particular focus on the moderating role of the Board Risk Committee Index (RCINDEX). Using panel data from 19 microfinance banks spanning the years 2012 to 2021, the study applies fixed-effects regression with robust standard errors to assess the relationships among key variables. Credit risk is proxied by Portfolio at Risk (PAR) and Non-Performing Loans (NPL), while financial performance is measured using Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), and Operational SelfSufficiency (OSS). The RCINDEX is constructed as a standardized composite of risk committee size, independence, and competence. The findings reveal that both PAR and NPL are significantly negatively associated with MFI performance, indicating that increased credit risk compromises profitability and sustainability. However, the RCINDEX exhibits a significant positive moderating effect, suggesting that well-structured risk committees can mitigate the adverse consequences of credit risk. These results align with agency and stakeholder theories, which highlight the critical role of governance mechanisms in managing risk and enhancing institutional performance. The study offers practical implications for MFI regulators, boards of directors, and policymakers seeking to strengthen governance frameworks and ensure financial sustainability in emerging economies. Human Resource Management Academic Research Society 2025-09-16 Article PeerReviewed text en http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/50002/2/Credit%20Risk.pdf Khalid, Hafeez and Salawati, Sahari and Burhan, Ahmed (2025) Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 15 (9). pp. 1008-1022. ISSN 2222-6990 https://hrmars.com/index.php/IJARBSS/article/view/26079/Credit-Risk-and-Microfinance-Performance-in-Pakistan-The-Moderating-Role-of-Board-Risk-Committee http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v15-i9/26079
spellingShingle HG Finance
Khalid, Hafeez
Salawati, Sahari
Burhan, Ahmed
Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee
title Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee
title_full Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee
title_fullStr Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee
title_full_unstemmed Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee
title_short Credit Risk and Microfinance Performance in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of Board Risk Committee
title_sort credit risk and microfinance performance in pakistan: the moderating role of board risk committee
topic HG Finance
url http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/50002/2/Credit%20Risk.pdf
http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/50002/
https://hrmars.com/index.php/IJARBSS/article/view/26079/Credit-Risk-and-Microfinance-Performance-in-Pakistan-The-Moderating-Role-of-Board-Risk-Committee
http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v15-i9/26079
url_provider http://ir.unimas.my/