Evaluation of e-banking on the profitability of the branches of Bank Sepah in the East Azerbaijan Province

The first profits that banks make out of giving e-banking services are a better commercial brand and a better power of accountability to their customers’ wants. Banks which give such services are recognized as the leaders of implementing technology in the business atmosphere. The main goal of these leaders is to maximize the earnings or profits for the owners and the beneficiaries. From banks’ point of view electronic banking (e-banking) means very inexpensive transactions in comparison with traditional banking. Therefore, in this study we are going to assess the influence of e-banking on the profitability of the branches of Bank Sepah in the East Azerbaijan Province. The present study in terms of purpose is an applied research. In this study to test the hypotheses the multivariate linear regression model is used and for data analysis the mixed model (panel data analysis) is used and the span of the research is since 2004 up to 2014. The dependent variable which was used in this research was the return on assets which was achieved from the ratio of bank profits to bank assets and is a yardstick for the profitability and the attempts of bank managers toward profitability. Also, the descriptive variables are ATMs which are the main e-banking factor, credit cards, PIN pad devices, and the market share which is selected from the ratio of bank deposits to the whole deposits of the selected banks. The results of the research indicate that ATMs and the market share have a positive influence and the credit cards which are issued by Bank Sepah have a negative influence on the profitability of Bank Sepah in the East Azerbaijan Province