This research examines the factors affecting bank's profitability during conflicts by examining the Syrian banking sector with a sample of 9 banks. I consider two periods, four years prior (2008-2011) and four years during the Syrian war (2012-2015).-The empirical research is enriched by three qualitative structured interviews with managers of the biggest Syrian banks.
I use panel data regression model along with correlation analysis to investigate the impact of Loans, Deposits, Equity, Loan loss provision and Bank Size on bank's profitability represented by (ROA) and (ROE).
The research finds during the war positive and significant relationships between Loans, Equity and Bank size variables with respect to bank profitability. In contrast, the study finds negative relationship between the Loan loss provisions with respect to bank profitability. Moreover, I find no significant impact of deposits on bank profitability.