Who Governs Bank Stability Amid Crises? Evidence From Broad Characteristics, Risk, and Performance

Introduction : This study examines a relatively underexplored area in Indonesia, namely the influence of women board members on bank performance and risk. This study fills a crucial gap in the literature on the influence of board characteristics on bank risk-taking and performance in Indonesia, a country in Asia with characteristics distinct from those of European countries. We investigate the impact of board characteristics on bank risk and performance. Methods : This study used unbalanced panel data comprising 594 bank-year observations from Bank Indonesia for 2003-2022 and tested the model using a fixed-effects model, controlling for bank and year effects Results : This study found that women board members have a positive effect on bank performance and a negative impact on bank risk. On the other hand, this study also found robust results that women directors have a positive impact on bank performance and a negative impact on bank risk, even when examined using different models and proxies. On the other hand, Board size positively affected bank stability but showed no consistent impact on credit risk or performance during crises. In contrast, board independence is negatively associated with stability and weakens bank performance during crisis periods. Conclusion and suggestion : This research can contribute to the government’s attention to the importance of gender diversity on boards of directors. These study results can also guide other developing countries with similar legal systems.