EFFECT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND CEO GENDER ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA

This study examined the effect of capital structure and CEO gender on financial performance of listed deposit money banks (DMB) in Nigeria for the period of ten years from 2012-2021. The study adopted the correlation and ex-post facto research design and a sample size of 13 out of a population of 14 st DMBs listed on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Group as at 31 December, 2021. Secondary data from the sampled banks annual audited financial reports was extracted. The data was analyzed using the multiple regression technique. The findings of the study revealed that the equity financing and debt to equity financing are significant with financial performance of listed DMBs in Nigeria. However, CEO gender was found to be insignificantly related to financial performance of listed DMBs in Nigeria. The study concludes that there is significant relationship between capital structure and CEO's specific characteristics on financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommended that banks should desists from high external borrowing in order not to risk being highly geared towards external ownership. DMBs in Nigeria should encourage the appointment of female employees as CEO in the banks as this proves to be significantly improving the financial performance of the listed DMBs in Nigeria.