Financial Development and Economic Growth An Empirical Analysis for Greece

Abstract

Problem statement:This study investigated the causal relationship between financial development and economic growth for Greece for the period 1978-2007 using a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Questions were raised whether financial development causes economic growth or reversely taking into account the positive effect of industrial production index. Financial market development is estimated by the effect of credit market development and stock market development on economic growth. The objective of this study was to examine the causal relationships between these variables using Granger causality tests based on a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Approach: To achieve this objective unit root tests were carried out for all time series data in their levels and their first differences according to Dickey-Fuller (1979). Johansen co-integration analysis was applied to examine whether the variables are co-integrated of the same order taking into account the maximum eigenvalues and trace statistics tests. A vector error correction model was selected to investigate the long-run relationship between financial development and economic growth. Finally, Granger causality test was applied in order to find the direction of causality between the examined variables of the estimated model. Results: A short-run increase of stock market index per 1% leaded to an increase of economic growth per 0.06% in Greece, also an increase of bank lending per 1% leaded to an increase of economic growth per 0.14% in Greece, while an increase of productivity per 1% leaded to an increase of economic growth per 0.32% in Greece. The estimated coefficient of error correction term found statistically significant with a negative sign, which confirmed that there was not any problem in the long-run equilibrium between the examined variables. The results of Granger causality tests indicated that economic growth causes stock market development and industrial production index, while industrial production index causes credit market development for Greece. Conclusions: Therefore, it can be inferred that economic growth has a positive effect on stock market development and credit market development through industrial production growth in Greece.

Financial systems and economic growth in South Africa: a dynamic complementarity test

“…In addition, the authors found that the contribution of stock market finance to economic growth appears to be substantially smaller than that of bank finance. However, in a more recent study on Greece, Vazakidis and Adamopoulos (2009), while using the time-series data, found that economic growth has a positive effect on both stock market development and credit market development in Greece. Shen and Lee (2006) also examined the relationship between stock market development, banking development and economic growth.…”

“…Other studies that have attempted to examine the relationship between bank development, stock market development and economic growth include those of Atje and Jovanovic (1993); Rousseau and Wachtel (2000); Arestis, Demetriades, and Luintel (2001);Tadesse 2002;Beck (2003); Hook (2004); Dritsaki and DritsakiBargiota 2005;Hondroyiannis, Lolos, and Papapetrou (2005); Shen and Lee (2006); Ben Naceur and Ghazouani (2007); Vazakidis and Adamopoulos 2009;and Cooray (2010) -amongst others. The results of these studies, however, vary significantly across countries and over time.…”

Financial market development and trade openness: evidence from emerging economies

“…As a result, financial development could be fostered by increased demand for insurance products. Similarly, Svaleryd and Vlachos (2002) and Vazakidis and Adamopoulos (2009) emphasize the role of risk diversification. To the extent that trade openness is associated with greater risks, such as increased exposure to external shocks or foreign competition, it will trigger the demand for new financial products and services to diversify such risks.…”

Stock Market Development and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Some Arab Countries

“…Using Granger causality tests based on the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), Vazakidis and Adamopoulos (2009) investigated the long-run causal relationship between financial development and economic growth in Greece over the period 1978-2007. The results indicated that economic growth has a positive effect on stock market development and credit market development through the industrial production growth in Greece.…”