A new study suggests that bank mergers generate negative economic effects in poor neighborhoods, resulting in an increase in property crime.
The study, published by "The Journal of Finance," found that neighborhoods affected by bank consolidation are subject to higher interest rates in the future, diminished local construction, lower real estate prices, and an influx of poorer households.
"The lack of competitiveness in the local loan markets results in lower commercial real estate investment and a drop in real estate prices," the study states. "This causes unemployment to rise alongside an influx of lower-income households. Consequently, there is an increase in property crime within the affected neighborhoods."
The study uses figures from the FBI's national crime figures from the Uniform Crime Reports and found "...a mean decline in banking competitiveness due to mergers from 1992 to 1995 is associated with approximately 24,300 more property crime offenses over the period 1995 to 2000."
"The poorest neighborhoods are found to suffer the greatest increases in crime following bank mergers," the authors said, suggesting they should be carefully regulated to prevent economic deterioration of the affected neighborhoods.
The journal was published by The American Finance Association.
For info: www.afajof.org
