EVALUATION OF FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS IN THE PREDICTION OF CORPORATE FAILURE AND BANKRUPTCY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF SELECTED COMMERCIAL BANKS

EVALUATION OF FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS IN THE PREDICTION OF CORPORATE FAILURE AND BANKRUPTCY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF SELECTED COMMERCIAL BANKS

Abstract

Financial analysis is the process of identifying the financial strengths and weaknesses of a firm by properly establishing relationships between the assets and liabilities and the performance of that particular firm. Commercial banks in Nigeria need to undertake periodic financial analysis; this could not be unconnected with the recent failures that engulfed the banking industry in Nigeria and its devastating effects on both the customers and shareholders. The study seeks to evaluate the efficiency of financial ratios analysis in predicting corporate bankruptcy and failure in the Nigerian banking industry. This is to guard against the possible loss suffered by numerous customers, owners and other stakeholders who have interest in such financial institutions. An in-depth analysis of financial statements of a firm tend to provide a deep insight into the operations of that firm. This brings to the fore the genesis and the magnitude of problems that subsequently result in poor performances. Therefore the use of financial ratios in the analysis of performance, is an indispensable aid to appraising true performance of firms. This will greatly help management to spot out financial weaknesses of firms and to take suitable corrective actions. Thus, financial analysis is the starting point for making plans before using any sophisticated forecasting and planning procedures. This is necessary as understanding the past is a prerequisite for anticipating the future. In the course of this study, stratified random sampling was employed to achieve the aims of this research work. The banks studied in this work were categorised into two strata: first generation and new generation banks. Three banks were strategically selected from the old generation banks while two banks were also selected from new generation banks. From the data obtained and the analysis made using various financial tools, the financial condition of the banks under study was not very good, according to Altman’s model and Osaze’s index respectively. Based on the analysis made using the various tools of financial analysis, it is recommended that the banks should majorly cut down their cost of operations and reduce their total debt. This will reduce their operating expenses as well as interest charges paid annually to creditors.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page- – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – -ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – -iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – -iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – -v
Table of content – – – – – – – -vi

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION – – – – – – – -1
1.0 Background of the study – – – – -1
1.1 Statement of the problem – – – – -5
1.2 Purpose of the study – – – – – -6
1.3 Significance of the study – – – – -8
1.4 Research questions – – – – – -9
1.5 Scope of the study – – – – – – -10

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – – – -11

CHAPTER THREE

Research methodology – – – – – – -39
Design of study – – – – – – – -40

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data – -48

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings – – – – – – -60
Conclusion – – – – – – – – -61
Recommendations – – – – – – – -62
Suggestions for further research – – – – -64
References – – – – – – – – -65
Appendix I – – – – — – – – -68
Questionnaire. – – – – – – – -69

EVALUATION OF FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS IN THE PREDICTION OF CORPORATE FAILURE AND BANKRUPTCY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF SELECTED COMMERCIAL BANKS