It is generally assumed that increased satisfaction levels lead to improved financial performance. However, this assumed relationship is, by and large, still to be proven in a more general setting, especially with respect to European sectors and industries. This research aims to identify empirically relationships between customer loyalty and satisfaction and profitability measured as ROA, ROE, profit margin and operating income, as well as market indicators (market capitalisation and Tobin's q). The research sample is made up of nine Scandinavian banks observed on an annual basis between 2004 and 2014. We can confirm that customer satisfaction and loyalty have a significant positive influence on banks' profitability and can be considered as a predictor for future profitability as the satisfaction index of the preceding year influences the next year's financial performance. We are also able to confirm that there is a positive link between the customer satisfaction of the preceding year and market indicators of the current year. These results are important for both decision makers in banks and investors. They mean that decision makers and investors can take the bank's level and trend in customer satisfaction to make assumptions on its future profitability and market performance.

Aggregate Custonzer Sari

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between customer satisfaction measured as Extended Performance Satisfaction Index (EPSI) and the financial performance of the banking sector for seven European countries over the period 2004–2014. Design/methodology/approach Using panel models, this study finds a significant positive influence of EPSI on banking financial performance at the country level. Findings Findings suggest that the value of the customer satisfaction index is important in explaining the financial performance of the banking industry at the aggregative country level. The customer satisfaction index measured as EPSI has a strong positive influence on the financial performance of the banking industry for the various North European countries studied. It was shown that EPSI has a positive influence on both total assets and total equity, with a higher relative influence and stronger significance on the total assets of the banking sector than on total equity. Originality/value The study contributes to understanding the importance of measuring and maintaining customer satisfaction as a profitability driver in the banking industry, providing new cross-country evidence. It also contributes to the literature focussing on a group of countries that have not previously been studied.

No abstract

No abstract