Description

In this paper, we apply a multivariate method to classify banks according to their degree of similarity, known as cluster analysis. Using balance sheets data for the period 2008-2013 on a set of 23 banks in Chile, we find that the banking industry can be clustered into seven groups of homogeneous institutions: (i) large multi-banks, (ii) medium size multi-banks, (iii) medium size specialized banks, (iv) retail banks, (v) treasury banks, (vi) foreign trade banks, and (vii) banks dedicated to financial services. Additionally, we show that this classification of banks is stable over time, and that can contribute to improve the banking system surveillance in Chile.