PurposeCOVID-19 has become a global challenge with a significant rate of prevalence, and it has exerted devastating consequences in epidemic, economic and social terms. Therefore, a number of studies have already been, or are now being, conducted on the detrimental effects of the virus. In this respect, a question may arise: Is there any possibility to turn the threat of the virus outbreak into an opportunity in some sectors such as the banking industry? In this research, the effects of COVID-19 outbreak as an intervening element on the acceptance of branchless banking were studied.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, the factors affecting the acceptance and development of branchless banking in Iran at the time of COVID-19 outbreak were identified by systematically studying the theoretical framework, conducting further research and interviewing the experts; then, a causal loop diagram of the problem in the proposed case study and the flow rate model were presented.FindingsThe simulation results showed that banking transactions and a bank's financial resources would increase by implementing the package policy of reducing the number of branches, promoting incentive policies and increasing the budget rate of the bank in Information Technology (IT). Further, by promoting customers' acceptance of new technologies, the spread of COVID-19 can be viewed as a positive factor, or even a catalyst, in the acceptance and development of branchless banking in Iran.Originality/valueBased on the proposed model, the difficulties faced by individuals during the spread of COVID-19 could act as justifiable incentives to boost appropriate organizational preparations for making changes to the classic working processes. Processes such as telecommuting, job rotation and so on are among these changes.

One of the basic functions of establishing corporate governance (CG) in companies is improving performance and increasing value for shareholders. Expanding the company’s value will ultimately increase the shareholders’ wealth. Therefore, it is natural for shareholders to seek to improve their performance and increase the company’s value. If CG mechanisms cannot perform this function in companies, they do not have the necessary efficiency and effectiveness and, therefore, cannot improve the efficiency of companies. This article investigatedthe connection between the power of major shareholders and the modality of CG of companies listed on the Iranian capital market before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistical sample of the research included120 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange for the selected period from 2011 to 2021. The results showed that the concentration of ownership is harmful to adopting corporate governance (GCG) practices. In particular, the high level of voter ownership concentration weakens the corporate governance system (CGS). The results of this study, which was conducted using panel analysis, revealed that the concentration of ownership impairsthe quality of CGS, and major shareholders cannot challenge the power of the main shareholder; it alsonegatively affected the quality of businessboards, both during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. The competitiveness and voting rights of the major shareholders negatively affectedthe quality of board composition before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The concentration of voter ownership also negatively affected the quality of CGS, both during and before COVID-19, and the competitiveness and voting rights of major shareholders before COVID-19. This concentration positively affected the quality of CGS after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of electronic banking (e-banking) on the profitability of banks is an important subject. Although there are many studies in this area, the effect of using different e-banking instruments, such as internet banking, telephone banking, ATM and POS, was not investigated comprehensively, using a system dynamics approach. To fill this gap, the present study tried to develop an analytical model with a systematic approach through identifying the effects of different areas of e-banking services in a financial institution. Design/methodology/approach The income and cost of each transaction via different e-banking services were identified and the incomes and costs, number of transactions and other model variables were predicted for the next period using a single-layer neural network (perceptron). The proposed model was designed based on the system dynamics approach. Then, rates and auxiliary variables were introduced to the model based on the prediction data. Finally, the model was validated and different scenarios were examined. Findings Results showed that increased investment on e-banking can increase online customers, thereby boosting the bank’s incomes through raising transaction fees and acquiring additional resources. On the other hand, the need for physical branches and associated costs reduces with increasing the tendency of traditional customers toward using e-banking services. Simulation results showed that although the expansion of e-banking carries a huge financial burden on the bank, the costs reduce and profitability significantly increases with time. Originality/value This study can be used by senior managers of the bank throughout e-banking planning. This is because it systematically addressed the effects of e-banking expansion on different (banking) areas. The present study may also encourage researchers to conduct more extensive studies.

Technology, along with political and economic factors, is one of the main drivers of the future of banking. Banking managers urgently need to know technological trends to make strategic decisions, know the future accurately, and make the most of existing opportunities. Industry 5.0 is the dream of modern banking, based on strategies for successful entry into the field in a completely different way. Using a complex literature survey, 49 indicators were identified to enter Industry 5.0 and were classified into three categories of insignificant indicators, essential indicators, and very necessary indicators. Then, based on the opinions of 10 experts from ten countries with modern banking in the world, the researchers focused on 14 essential indicators. To analyze the drawn space, structural-interpretive modeling and MICMAC analysis were used and the model was classified into nine levels. The results showed that low-level indices are the most influential (TMBE and HEMS) and higher-level indices are the most influenced (PZM and RNC). Finally, researchers analyzed how to use new technologies in the banking industry with the entry of the Industry 5.0 and revealed what the characteristics of the impact of these indicators on entering Industry 5.0 are.

Banking plays an important role in the economy of any country. The success of a healthy economy depends on a robust and healthy banking system. Savings, investments, production, employment and growth in the national economy are affected by the operations and decisions of the banking system. Lending is one of the main activities of most banks and this is affected by risk. Changes in economic conditions affect bank risk. The borrower's credit status may deteriorate over time due to various factors. Credit risk and its management at the branch level can greatly assist banks' performance. Paying attention to credit risk indices at bank branch level is an issue that has been less addressed. In this study, the researchers have prioritized the evaluation of branch-level indicators using new decision-making techniques, such as SWARA and MABAK, by presenting a general model of the factors influencing credit risk at banks level. We first obtained the weight of the indices using the SWARA technique and using the opinions of ten banking experts and then we are ready to enter the MABAK model. The analysis was carried out in qard al-hasan RESALAT Bank, and in 30 selected branches of the bank.