http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11984 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:26:59 GMT 2026-04-04T12:26:59Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20166 Effect of Governance Structure on Financial Performance of Banking Sector of Pakistan Furqan Mansoor Alavi, 01-222222-004 The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of governance structure on the financial performance of the banking sector in Pakistan, considering the agency and stakeholder theories. In an era where domestic and global markets are competitive, the objective is to ascertain which characteristics of governance mechanisms significantly impact financial performance. Quantitative secondary data, spanning from 2013 to 2024, is sourced from the published annual reports of 18 commercial banks listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, using a purposive (nonprobability) sampling technique. Since governance structure and financial performance are not directly measured, proxy variables have been used to measure them and analyze their association in light of the existing literature. Consequently, board size, frequency of board meetings, and number of female members on the board have been chosen to measure governance structure, whereas return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) have been used to measure the financial performance of banks. Descriptive, correlation, and random effects linear regression analyses have been conducted using EViews 10. The results show that, on average, Pakistani banks consist of boards having 9 directors, with less than 1 female member per board. The boards meet approximately 7 times per year. The average ROA and ROE were found to be 1.10% and 17.27%, respectively. The correlational analysis revealed that board size and the number of female members on the board were weakly positively correlated with return on assets and return on equity. In contrast, the frequency of board meetings was weakly negatively associated with ROA and ROE. However, the random effects regression analysis showed small and insignificant links for all three independent variables under study with respect to ROA and ROE, except for the number of female members, which showed a small and significant result with respect to ROE only. Thus, the governance structure is not related to the financial performance of banks in Pakistan. The study can be further extended to include other aspects of governance structure and financial performance in the research model. It can also be conducted on other sectors and countries to increase generalizability, and the results can be used to introduce change to the governance structures at an organizational and regulatory level to improve financial performance. Supervised by Mr. Abdullah Hafeez Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20166 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20160 Investigating the Impact of Digital Financial Tools on Financial Well-being of Students of Bahria University Muhammad Tahir Shaheen, 01-322232-044 This study examines the influence of Digital Financial Tools (DFTs) on the financial well-being of students at Bahria University, specifically addressing budgeting behavior, investment attitudes, financial stress, and socio-economic factors. With the growing integration of financial technology into everyday life, digital financial tools such as mobile wallets, digital banking applications, and budgeting platforms provide students with enhanced methods for efficient financial management. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating survey data from 290 students with in-depth qualitative interviews to examine patterns of DFT usage and their outcomes. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that the use of DFT significantly improves students' budgeting and saving habits (β = 0.43), enhances investment attitudes (β = 0.39), and decreases financial stress (β = -0.48), subsequently contributing positively to their overall financial well-being (β = 0.37). Moderation analysis indicated that the stress-reducing benefits of DFTs are particularly significant for students from lower-income households. Qualitative insights corroborated these findings, emphasizing students' enhanced financial confidence, trust in mobile applications such as Easypaisa, JazzCash, Ufone Microfinance Banking and other Banking digital transactions through Applications, and a heightened sense of financial independence amongs students of Bahria University. This study adds to the existing body of work on digital financial literacy and behavioral finance within emerging economies. This study offers practical implications for universities, Fintech developers, and policymakers seeking to enhance student financial resilience via inclusive digital solutions. This study demonstrates a significant correlation between DFT engagement and enhanced financial well-being, providing evidence-based recommendations for improving student financial health in the digital era. Supervised by Dr. Osman Bin Saif Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20160 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20159 Volatility of Monetary Policy on Inflaction and Investment in Pakistan Shazaib Shafiq, 01-321241-023 The economy of Pakistan under development largely relies on the influence the monetary policy exerts to macroeconomic stability condi􀆟ons. Scholarly interest in the monetary environment of Pakistan has been keen on the significant disrup􀆟ons that have prevailed over the past decades and has also been of a broad character in that has equally dealt with issues related to infla􀆟on rates as well capital investments. Gaps have developed across the economic environment due to unpredictable central bank ac􀆟ons and inconsistent interest rates because of varying money supply to offer monetary policy vola􀆟lity. The empirical literature has paid limited a􀆩en􀆟on to the role of monetary policy in Pakistan to measure its vola􀆟lity impacts on investment and infla􀆟on behavior. The main objec􀆟ve of this research is to determine the magnitude of impact vola􀆟lity in monetary policy has on infla􀆟on and investment dynamics in the country. It a􀆩empts to give a descrip􀆟ve view of how macroeconomic uncertainty created through erra􀆟c policy measures interfere with infla􀆟onary pressures and investment decisions in an emerging economy. To achieve these objec􀆟ves, the study uses a quan􀆟ta􀆟ve research design and secondary 􀆟me-series data over the last two decades. Econometric analysis employs the GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Condi􀆟onal Heteroskedas􀆟city) model to test for vola􀆟lity while regression analysis is applied to test the rela􀆟onship between monetary policy vola􀆟lity, infla􀆟on and investment. The unit root test and the sta􀆟onarity diagnos􀆟cs are also used to make the data valid. Important findings indicate that level of monetary policy vola􀆟lity has a sta􀆟s􀆟cally significant effect on both infla􀆟on and investment in Pakistan. More precisely, higher levels of policy uncertainty are associated with higher infla􀆟on and lower private investment, the destabilizing effects of which are magnified by the fluctua􀆟on of policy measures. These results highlight the need of a stable, predictable, monetary framework for economic growth and for price stability. This study adds to the wider literature by presen􀆟ng empirical evidence on Pakistan’s monetary environment and sugges􀆟ons ac􀆟onable for policymakers to achieve longterm economic stability through consistent and transparent policy alignment. Supervised by Mr. Tanveer Taj Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20159 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20163 Impact of Digital Innovation on Financial Inclusion of SME Sector of Pakistan Muhammad Usman Riaz, 01-322232-020 This study investigates the relationship between digital financial innovation—specifically mobile money and e-payment usage—and access to formal credit among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Utilizing a structured secondary dataset from the State Bank of Pakistan, the research analyzes 1,300 firms' financial activities through descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, t-tests, and regression models. The findings reveal limited adoption of digital financial tools, with only 25.7% of firms using mobile money and more than half reporting no e-payment activity. Regional and sectoral variations emerged, with higher usage in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad and among medium-sized enterprises, highlighting digital divides across the country. Despite the growing use of digital platforms, logistic regression analysis found no significant link between mobile or e-payment use and access to formal credit, with only 1.08% of firms reporting active loans. Regression models also indicated that digital financial behaviors did not significantly predict loan amounts. The study identifies deep-rooted structural barriers in Pakistan’s financial system—including strict collateral requirements, low digital literacy, and regional disparities—that overshadow the potential benefits of digital financial innovation for financial inclusion. Recommendations emphasize region-specific policies, sector-focused interventions, improved digital infrastructure, trust-building measures, and the integration of digital payment histories into credit scoring systems. This research underscores the need for a holistic approach that bridges technological adoption with regulatory reforms and tailored financial products to enhance SME financial inclusion in Pakistan. Supervised by Ms. Rabia Shareef Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/20163 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z