The Effect of Operational Risk Management on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks: A Case of Tier Two and Three Commercial Banks in Kenya

Abstract

Kenyan banking sector is exposed to risks that initiate from external and internal environments. Operational risk threatens the viability and long-term sustainability of banks. Despite growth in the Kenyan banking sector, operational risk possesses a major challenge. The main objective of this paper was to examine the impact of operational risk on the financial health of tier two and three commercial banks in Kenya. The findings indicate that operational risk has a significant negative effect on the financial performance of tier two and three banks. Bank size has a significant positive effect on the financial performance of tier two and three banks. The study also concluded that tier three banks are not able to mitigate operational risks as well as tier two banks through the dummy variable measure. Banks are therefore encouraged to develop effective risk management and measurements techniques to avoid huge operational losses that negatively affect the financial health of the institutions.