Disclosure statements : how much do they disclose? a study of five banks.

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study is to look into the level of bank disclosure standards. In an effort to find out what kind of disclosures banks generally make in theirannual reports, we examine the chairman’s statement, directors’ report or equivalent and attempt to comment on the degree of transparency and information richness of thedisclosure statements. We also look into the extent and nature of similarities and differences exhibited by the banks in their disclosure statements.