Mergers and acquisitions as a mechanism for restructuring and strengthening the competitiveness of the banking sector

Mergers and acquisitions (MA) represent one of the key mechanisms for restructuring the banking sector in modern market economies, particularly under conditions of increased competition, financial crises, and regulatory changes. This paper aims to examine the role of mergers and acquisitions in the restructuring process and their contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of the banking sector. The research is based on a quantitative analysis of data collected through a survey of 100 employees in the banking sector of the Republic of Serbia, who were directly or indirectly involved in merger and acquisition processes. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, with the support of the IBM SPSS software package. The research results, percentage-normalized for clearer presentation and comparability, indicate that the majority of respondents perceive mergers and acquisitions as an effective restructuring instrument that positively affects business efficiency and bank competitiveness. A statistically significant positive relationship was identified between the success of restructuring through MA and the strengthening of banking sector competitiveness, while the share of negative perceptions remains relatively low. The findings confirm that the economic effects of mergers and acquisitions largely depend on the quality of the restructuring process and post-merger integration. In conclusion, this paper contributes to the economic literature by providing empirical evidence on the importance of MA as a restructuring mechanism in the banking sector of transition economies, with implications for economic and regulatory policymakers.