本篇論文主要的目的在探討銀行規模大小對於銀行風險的影響。我們將風險區分為系統性風險、非系統性風險及總風險，欲了解銀行規模對此三種風險的影響。本研究的資料期間為1998年1月到2007年的12月，並以美國銀行產業為例。本文主要的發現可匯整如下:一、銀行規模愈大，其所承擔的非系統性風險則愈小。如同投資組合理論，公司規模較大者，可透過較佳的多角化能力分散風險。二、本研究發現，銀行規模愈大，其系統性風險亦愈大。我們推測期可能的原因為，銀行規模較大者，可能會承擔較多外匯風險、政治風險及資訊不對稱等的風險。故此發現隱含銀行規模較大者，較容易受到市場波動的影響。三、大規模銀行的總風險較低。綜合上述兩點結論，我們可以推測出，規模越大的銀行雖然面臨較高的系統性風險，但可以透過多角化大幅降低非系統性風險，故其總風險較低。

We examine the relationship between risk and bank size in the banking industry during the period of 1998-2007, decomposing the risk into systematic and firm-specific risk. The empirical results provide evidence that the impact of bank size on systematic risk is positive and significant. In addition, bank size has a negative impact on firm-specific risk, as well as on total risk. Our results suggest that even though large banks may be more sensitive to general economic conditions, they can reduce firm-specific risk through better diversification and thus reduce their total risk.

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