Assessing the Viability of Microfinance Banks in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of capital adequacy, asset quality, liquidity, and operational efficiency on Microfinance Banks (MFB) viability proxied by Return on Assets (ROA) in Kebbi State, Nigeria, employing quantitative research method and robust analytics. The study reveals mixed findings, as it found that Asset quality negatively impacted from non-performing loans underscores the importance of sound credit risk management, while liquidity's positive role highlights the need for balanced short-term asset management. Operational efficiency shows the strongest positive relationship with survival (coefficient = 0.631, p-value = 0.040), highlighting that cost-effective MFBs are better positioned to withstand financial pressures and maintain sustainable operations. The findings further suggest that context-sensitive policies combining prudent regulation and operational support will be most effective in promoting MFB survival and their valuable role in local economic development.