Corporate Social Responsibility and Bank Performance

Abstract

This is an empirical study of the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), financial performance and risk at U.S. banks from 1998-2010. The results are striking. First, there is a positive relationship between CSR and both operating performance and firm value. This result is most pronounced in the largest banks. Second, there is a negative relationship between bank risk-taking and aspects of a bank’s CSR environment that are central to the bank’s operating activities. Third, those same aspects were negatively related to whether or not the bank received assistance through TARP during 2008-2009, while aspects consistent with green-washing were positively related to a bank receiving TARP assistance. Overall, these results suggest that improving the quality of CSR at banks might go a long way towards improving individual bank performance and reducing the risk associated with U.S. financial institutions.