Innovative Financial Risk Management Paradigms: Addressing the Financial Performance Conundrum in the Credit Union Sector of Cameroon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijf.3126Keywords:
Asset Quality, Financial Performance, Innovative Financial Risk Management Paradigms, Liquidity Management, Microfinance, Risk Management.Abstract
Purpose: This study examines how Innovative Financial Risk Management Paradigms or financial management practices affect the financial performance of credit unions in Cameroon.
Methodology: The study employs panel data analysis using fixed-effects and random-effects models to address heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation and endogeneity issues. Data from 2021 to 2025 are sourced from audited financial reports of the CamCCUL Network from its nine (09) chapters, with the dependent variable indicators normalized into a financial performance index.
Findings: The findings reveal that effective liquidity management and asset quality improvements positively affect financial performance, while higher risk exposure has a detrimental effect.
Recommendations: These findings underscore the importance of prudent innovative financial risk management paradigms. The study offers policy recommendations for regulators and managers to strengthen liquidity buffers, improve asset quality and enforce risk controls, thus promoting financial stability and inclusive growth. These contributions highlight the dynamic relationships between financial management and financial performance, emphasizing; compliance, transparency and governance as key to financial resilience in Cameroon and similar developing contexts.
Downloads
References
Abor, J., & Biekpe, N. (2007). How do small firms finance their growth? International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 13(4), 224-242.
Abor, J., & Biekpe, N. (2007). How do small firms finance their growth? International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 13(4), 224-242.
ACCOSCA. (2023). Annual report on African credit unions and microfinance institutions. African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations.
Acharya, V. V., & Pedersen, L. H. (2005). Asset prices and liquidity risk. Journal of Political Economy, 113(5), 901-939.
Akhter, S., & Muneer, M. (2018). Impact of risk management practices on manufacturing firms’ financial performance in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences, 12(4), 985-1004.
Akinloye, O., & Olaleye, O. (2020). Financial management practices and firm performance in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. African Journal of Business Management, 14(2), 45-58.
Armendáriz, B., & Morduch, J. (2010). The economics of microfinance. MIT press.
Cull, R., Demirgüç-Kunt, A., & Morduch, J. (2018). Microfinance growth and vulnerability. World Development, 102, 98-108.
Bekaert, G., & Harvey, C. R. (2000). Foreign exchange risk and risk management. The Journal of Portfolio Management, 26(3), 8-20.
Berger, A. N., & Bouwman, C. H. S. (2009). Bank liquidity creation. The Journal of Financial Services Research, 36(2-3), 97-137.
Berger, A. N., & DeYoung, R. (1997). Problem loans and cost efficiency in commercial banks. Journal of Banking & Finance, 21(6), 849-870.
Bernanke, B. S., & Blinder, A. S. (1992). The Federal Funds rate and the channels of monetary transmission. American Economic Review, 82(4), 901-921.
CamCCUL. (2023). Annual activity report 2023. Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League.
CamCCUL. (2023). Annual activity report 2023. Cameroon Cooperative Credit Union League.
Chen, L., & Lin, Z. (2019). Asset quality management and bank profitability: Evidence from Chinese banks. Journal of Banking & Finance, 102, 55-68.
COBAC. (2024). Key regulatory requirements and supervisory guidelines. Central African Banking Commission.
CUNA. (2022). Credit union trends and challenges. Credit Union National Association.
Dlamini, S., & Moyo, N. (2020). Credit risk management and microfinance performance in South Africa. African Review of Economics and Finance, 12(2), 150-171.
European Banking Authority. (2013). Basel III implementation in Europe.
European Central Bank. (2005). European credit union sector review.
European Credit Union Development Association. (2003). Impact of technology on credit union performance.
Fama, E. F. (1970). Efficient capital markets: A review of theory and empirical work. The Journal of Finance, 25(2), 383-417.
Fama, E., & French, K. (2004). The capital asset pricing model: Theory and evidence. The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 18(3), 25-46.
Hafeez, I., Yingjun, Z., Hafeez, S., Mansoor, R., & Rehman, K. U. (2019). Impact of workplace environment on employee performance: mediating role of employee health. Business, Management and Economics Engineering, 17(2), 173-193.
Hirshleifer, D. (2015). Behavioral finance. The Journal of Financial Economics, 117(2), 445-462.
Hughes, J. P., & Mester, L. J. (2018). The Savings and Loan crisis of the 1980s and 1990s: Causes and consequences. Journal of Financial Stability, 34, 1–16.
Hwang, L. S., & Kim, S. (2019). Behavioral biases and asset allocation. Journal of Behavioral Finance, 20(1), 1-17.
Jorion, P. (2007). Financial risk manager handbook. Wiley.
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263-291.
Kauffman, R. J., & Moretti, D. (2020). Risk management and financial performance in microfinance. Journal of Risk Finance, 21(4), 371-392.
Kengne, F. F., & Fotsing, D. F. (2020). Asset diversification and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Economic Review, 8(2), 45-67.
Khan, A., Ahmed, E., & Rehman, S. (2019). Financial management practices and firm performance: Evidence from the Pakistani textile industry. Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences, 13(4), 1027-1044.
Kihoro, J. M., Wainaina, J. W., & Muturi, W. (2022). Financial management practices and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya. International Journal of Financial Research, 13(1), 45-60.
Kinyua, P., & Wanjiku, N. (2022). Asset quality and financial performance of Kenyan banks: Panel data analysis. International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies, 11(3), 45-62.
Kinyua, P., Wanjiku, N., & Mwangi, S. (2018). Financial management practices and profitability of small enterprises in Kenya. International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Research, 6(3), 22-35.
Levy, H., & Sarnat, M. (2002). Portfolio selection and risk management. Financial Analysts Journal, 58(4), 73-81.
Longin, F., & Solnik, B. (2001). Extreme correlation of international equity markets. The Journal of Finance, 56(2), 649-676.
Mankiw, N. G. (2014). Principles of macroeconomics. Cengage Learning.
Markowitz, H. (1952). Portfolio selection. The Journal of Finance, 7(1), 77-91.
Merton, R. C. (1972). An intertemporal capital asset pricing model. Econometrica, 40(5), 867-887.
MINFI / DGTCFM / RSIMA North West. (2024). Annual report on microfinance institutions in Cameroon. Ministry of Finance, Cameroon.
Molyneux, P., & Thornton, J. (2019). The impact of technology on banking. Journal of Banking & Finance, 102, 123-134.
Muriithi, N., & Kinyua, P. (2014). Financial management practices and NGO performance in Kenya. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 19(2), 145-161.
Muriithi, W., & Mugo, P. (2019). Technology and financial management in credit unions. International Journal of Financial Research, 10(3), 101-115.
Muriuki, M., & Kamau, J. (2020). Asset quality and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya. Journal of Financial Management in Microfinance, 8(2), 89-105.
Ndung’u, N. (2020). Financial inclusion and liquidity preferences in emerging markets. Journal of Development Economics, 146, 102530.
Neba, A. (2020). Sectoral analysis of microfinance institutions in Cameroon: Asset quality and performance. Cameroon Journal of Economics and Finance, 12(3), 101-118.
Neba, B. (2020). Challenges facing microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Economics and Finance, 12(4), 45–62.
Neba, B. (2020). Challenges facing microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Economics and Finance, 12(4), 45–62.
Neba, B. (2020). Challenges facing microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Economics and Finance, 12(4), 45–62.
Neba, B. (2020). Challenges facing microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Economics and Finance, 12(4), 45–62.
Neba, B. (2020). Challenges facing microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Economics and Finance, 12(4), 45–62.
Neba, B. (2020). Challenges facing microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Economics and Finance, 12(4), 45–62.
Nguefeu, N. (2019). Resilience strategies of credit unions in Cameroon. Journal of Development Finance, 20(1), 67-83.
Ngugi, R. W., & Wanjau, K. (2018). Monetary policy and liquidity management in Kenya. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 6(4), 1-15.
Njeru, J., Kariuki, K., & Mwangi, S. (2015). Liquidity risk management and bank performance in Kenya. Kenyan Journal of Finance and Accounting, 9(2), 78-91.
Njoroge, J., & Kihonga, M. (2017). Effect of financial management practices on bank performance in Kenya. Kenyan Journal of Finance and Accounting, 9(2), 78-91.
Nkamleu, G. B., & Tchouaket, E. (2020). Regulation and performance of microfinance institutions in Cameroon. Cameroon Development Review, 34(2), 88–105.
Nsoh, R., Ngongang, J., & Tchouamou, G. (2025). Liquidity management and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Cameroon. African Journal of Microfinance, 10(1), 23-39.
Nsoh, R., Ngongang, J., & Tchouamou, G. (2025). Liquidity management and financial performance of microfinance institutions in Cameroon. Journal of Financial Inclusion, 8(1), 23-41.
Ojiako, O. (2018). Financial performance and management practices of credit unions. African Journal of Financial Management, 22(3), 150-165.
Ongore, V., & Kusa, K. (2013). Effect of liquidity management on operational performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. European Journal of Business and Management, 5(8), 123-135.
Onyeneho, G. C., & Oji, O. O. (2017). Microfinance default rates in Nigeria and Ghana: A comparative analysis. International Journal of Development Studies, 14(3), 150–165.
Osei-Tutu, E., Adu, G., & Asare, K. (2023). Financial management practices and performance of credit unions in Ghana. African Journal of Financial Studies, 15(2), 78-95.
Ouma, S. (2016). Reserves and financial stability in microfinance institutions. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 24(4), 382-396.
Ouma, S. (2016). Reserves and financial stability in microfinance institutions. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 24(4), 382-396.
Owona, F., & Fonkeng, E. (2019). Asset diversification strategies in Cameroonian microfinance institutions. African Journal of Finance and Management, 7(1), 23-40.
Rajan, R. G., & Zingales, L. (1998). Financial dependence and growth. American Economic Review, 88(3), 559-586.
Stiglitz, J. E., & Weiss, A. (1981). Credit rationing in markets with imperfect information. The American Economic Review, 71(3), 393-410.
Suri, T., & Jack, W. (2016). The long-run poverty and gender impacts of mobile money. Science, 354(6317), 1288–1292.
Tal, S. (2022). Liquidity impact on microfinance firms in Cameroon: A case of Mmockmbie Cooperative Credit Union. Cameroonian Journal of Microfinance, 4(2), 102-119.
WOCCU. (2023). World Council of Credit Unions annual report.
Yusuf, A., & Oladele, O. (2021). Impact of financial management practices on Nigerian manufacturing firms’ performance. African Journal of Business Management, 15(4), 105-119.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Awah Richard Ndoh, Njekang Dieudonne Nkwati, Njekang Eric Aziseh, Humphred Watard, Njimanted Godfrey Forgha

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.