Abstract:
This research was aimed to examine the effect of foreign exchange rate on financial performance
of private Commercial Banks in Ethiopia. In order to satisfy the objective of the study the
researcher usedquantitative research approach by adopting purposive sampling technique and
explanatory type of research design. The samples used for this study were secondary data for a
period of 12 years starting from 1200 through 2012 for a cross section of 6 private commercial
banks; these data were mined from the audited annual financial statement of banks, NBE
annual bulletins and ministry of trade. The study tested for the assumptions of CLRM. Random
Effect Regression model has been used to analyses the results. The study used Stata
11econometric software package to aid in data analysis. An econometric model was used to
examine the relationship between foreign exchange rate, interest rates spread, inflation rates
and bank size with bank performance indicators. Outcomes of the study revealed for the
existence of a negative and significant relationship between foreign exchange rates and financial
performance of private commercial Banks, a positive and significant relationship between bank
size and financial performance of private commercial banks. The study concluded that there was
insignificant relationship among interest rate spreads and inflation rates with the financial
performance of private commercial banks in Ethiopia in the study period. The study recommends
that the Government should put up more measures to increase the country’s exports and foreign
direct investment and the National Bank of Ethiopia should adequately put measures to
safeguard the value of the domestic currency. This would ensure that the value on the same does
not fluctuate much day in day out and Banks Management in Ethiopia should adopt appropriate
strategies so as to militate against foreign exchange risks.
