| Abstract [eng] |
This master's thesis examines the impact of financial technologies (fintech) on the profitability of banks in European Union countries. Technological innovations such as mobile payments, cryptocurrencies, robo-advisors, and various digital solutions have significantly transformed the financial sector in recent years. As a result, not only have consumer habits changed, but also traditional banking business models, with fintech companies becoming competitive market players. Given these trends, the study aimed to assess whether and how these changes affect the financial performance of commercial banks. The theoretical part of the thesis includes a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, which reviews key perspectives on fintech impact, identifies main risks and opportunities, outlines major technological areas, and defines key evaluation criteria. Previous studies analyzing the influence of fintech on bank profitability were also discussed. In the empirical part of the study, a panel regression method was applied to assess time- and country-varying relationships between fintech growth indicators and bank profitability (ROA, ROE). The research covered 27 EU countries over the period from 2008 to 2022. The analysis revealed that while not all selected variables fully explain the dynamics of bank profitability, many of them have a statistically significant influence on the dependent indicators. The results indicate that fintech expansion can have both negative and positive effects on bank profitability, depending on the country’s economic level, regulatory environment, bank size, and the specific technological solutions adopted. The thesis concludes with findings and recommendations. Although the results obtained are significant, the study also identifies several limitations – a limited set of variables, potential data accuracy differences between countries, and the inherent constraints of quantitative methods when analyzing complex phenomena. |
