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Credit Risk, Operational Efficiency, and Bank Profitability: Evidence from Indonesian Listed Banks in the Post-Pandemic Period
While numerous studies have examined the relationship between credit risk, operational efficiency, and bank profitability, empirical evidence on how Indonesian listed banks sustain profitability during the post-pandemic period remains limited. This study aims to examine the effects of credit risk and operational efficiency on the profitability of conventional banks listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the 2022–2025 post-pandemic period. A quantitative approach was employed using secondary data ollected from banks’ annual reports. The sample consisted of 172 bank-year observations selected through purposive
sampling. Panel data regression analysis was applied to investigate the relationships among the variables. Credit risk was measured using the Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio, operational efficiency was measured using the Operating Expenses to Operating Income ratio, profitability was proxied by Return on Assets (ROA), and firm size, measured by the natural logarithm of total assets, was included as a control variable. The findings reveal that credit risk has a positive and significant effect on profitability, while operational efficiency has a negative and significant effect on profitability. Furthermore, credit risk and operational
efficiency jointly exert a significant influence on bank profitability. The results suggest that, during the post-pandemic period, Indonesian listed banks were generally able to maintain healthy credit quality, while operational efficiency emerged as a critical factor in sustaining profitability. This study provides updated empirical evidence on the determinants of bank profitability in the post-pandemic era and offers practical insights for bank managers and regulators in strengthening risk management, improving operational efficiency, and supporting the long-term resilience of Indonesia’s banking sector.