Abstract This paper examines whether the stock markets price changes in operating
efficiency as a result of bank mergers and if the premiums paid by the acquiring
banks also reflect these changes. The sample covers mergers and acquisitions consummated
in the US and Europe during the period of 1997 to 2003. Changes in cost
and profit efficiency are calculated using the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis
(DEA) method 1 year prior and 3 years following the merger announcement.
Evidence suggests a significant relation between the announcement-period abnormal
returns and the post-merger profit efficiency changes. Results also indicate that bank
managers are likely to pay a higher premium for those M&A transactions that can
bring about greater efficiency gains, particularly on the profit side. Further, although
acquirer shareholders in the US and Europe appear to react differently to the announcement
of a bank merger, our results for target shareholders suggest that regional
differences might be less important than the degree of capital market development in
explaining wealth effects.