Call-pricing equity returns and default risks of entry mode with brand perception in retail banking

Our paper focuses on a pattern of bank interest margin determination with entry competition in which a bank with home brand identity extends its advantage to an imperfectly competitive target market. We show that the bank with brand perception advantage subsequently has a lower equity return with a lower default risk whereas the incumbent facing such a threat has the opposite results. We argue that strategy on bank branding can be recognized as a high market share and low return-risk entry strategy under the geographic deregulation of retail banking.