Purpose This paper aims to investigate empirically the eight-variables Beneish M-model to identify occurrence of financial statement fraud or tendency to engage in earning manipulation. Design/methodology/approach A data set of 25,468 companies (Société Anonyme and Limited Liability Companies) in Greece was analyzed during two-year period of 2011-2012. Financial statements of banks are excluded. Findings The results showed that 8,486 companies or 33 per cent of the whole sample has a greater than −2.2 score, which is a signal that companies are likely to be manipulators. Also, for manipulators, results using F-distribution showed that days sales in receivable index (DSRI), asset quality index (AQI), depreciation index, selling, general and administrative expenses index (SGAI), total accruals to total assets index and leverage index (LVGI) are significant at 99 per cent confidence level in its effect on Beneish M-score. Also, there is a significant relationship between earning management, as expressed by Beneish M-score and each one of variables, DSRI, AQI, gross margin index, sales growth index, SGAI and LVGI. Most of all, DSRI explains 95.92 per cent of the variation in Beneish M-score in statistical terms. Practical implications Results are important for banking system, because financial statements information influence credit decisions of banks. Debt agreements include terms based upon accounting numbers. Also, using Beneish Model, it is a cheap and easy way for examiners of possible fraudulent activity. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is a great lack of research in Greece, using Beneish model. There is only one more study using the Beneish model, examining only a few companies listed in Athens Stock Exchange during 1999-2000. Findings have also important implications not only for banks but also for users of Greek financial statement accounts, especially to investors, auditors, regulators, to taxation and other state authorities.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine types of fraud risk and fraud scheme methods in Greek commercial banks. Design/methodology/approach Data used for this study were obtained from primary source through questionnaires. This method of data collection was followed and was considered appropriate because the information sought is not publicly available and middle management and internal auditors are in a good position to know the answers to the questions asked. Questionnaires were sent to a sample of 230 persons, all bank branch employees (internal auditors were excluded), in the city of Athens (capital city of Greece), in five banks, National Bank of Greece, Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, Eurobank and Postal Bank, during February 2017-March 2017. Finally, of the 230 questionnaires distributed, 225 completed and returned but only 203 of them were usable questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha was used to test the reliability of variables. Findings Results showed that forgeries, bribery and money laundering are the most important types of fraud risk, and the best fraud scheme methods are using dormant accounts and checks. Based on the empirical findings, the study recommends that there is a need for banks to implement a code of conduct and a code of ethics for staff, staff training, signature verification, control over dormant accounts, asking employees about their opinions and the way they feel about their bank, conducting surprise audits and using a hot line for whistleblowing. Practical implications The study will help banks in fraud risk management and in the development of policies to reduce risk within the banking sector. Also, will be useful to all categories of potential bank clients and users of financial services including shareholders, creditors, debtors and fund providers. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study examining middle management and staff opinions about fraud risk and fraud scheme methods in Greek commercial banks.

This paper examines the impact of Greek mergers and acquisitions on the performance of the Greek Banking Sector during the period 1996-2009. With the use of event study methodology, we reject the "semi-strong form" of Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) of the Athens Stock Exchange. We find that ten days prior to the announcement of a merger and acquisition, shareholders receive considerable and significant positive cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs). Also the results show that significant positive CAARs are gained upon the announcement of horizontal and diversifying bank deals. The overall results indicate that bank mergers and acquisitions have no impact and do not create wealth. We also examine operating performance of the Greek Banking Sector by estimating twenty financial ratios. Findings show that operating performance does not improve, following mergers and acquisitions. There are also controversial results when comparing merged to non-merged banks.

No abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of major non-economic events such as the results of five Greek national Parliamentary elections during 1996-2009 on the Greek banks’ stocks. Design/methodology/approach Using daily data from the Athens Stock Exchange, event study methodology and market model, the results of this paper claim that the five Greek national Parliamentary elections during the 1996-2009 period had no statistically significant effect on the Greek banks’ stocks. The results show that cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs) were slightly positive or negative for Greek banks’ stocks but not statistically significant at 5 and 10 per cent confidence levels. Findings Investors were not surprised and the political information caused no change and no influence on the future and course of the stock market. Expected winning political party was the same as the actual winning political party. Results showed that during pre-event period of 2000 and 2004 Greek national Parliamentary elections, CAARs for Greek banks’ stocks were slightly positive and after the event period were slightly negative but not statistically significant at all periods. During 2007 Greek national Parliamentary elections, the effect of elections changed because CAARs were generally slightly negative during the pre-event period and positive after the event period. Also, non-statistically significant CAARs indicate that there is no evidence that either political party was able to manipulate bank stocks’ prices for election purposes. Originality/value The main contribution of this paper is to provide evidence about effects of national elections to bank stocks’ prices which have important implications for stockbrokers, investors, politicians and political analysts.