Etihad: Journal of Islamic Banking and Finance
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026)

The Moderating Role of Bank Size in Intellectual Capital, Leverage, and Financial Performance: Indonesian Islamic Commercial Banks 2019–2023

Dhidhin Noer Ady Rahmanto (Universitas Alma Ata)
Ardila Septi Priwanda (Universitas Alma Ata)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Jun 2026

Abstract

Introduction: This study examines the effects of intellectual capital efficiency and leverage on the financial performance of Indonesian Islamic commercial banks, with bank size as a moderating variable. It addresses inconsistent prior findings by testing whether bank scale explains differences in the performance effects of intangible resources and financial structure. Research Methods: Using balanced panel data from nine Islamic commercial banks during 2019–2023, this study analyzes 45 bank-year observations. Financial performance is proxied by lnROA, intellectual capital by VAIC, leverage by DER, and bank size by ln(total assets). The data are analyzed using panel-based moderated regression. Results: The Random Effect Model shows that VAIC positively affects financial performance (β = 0.5449; p < 0.001), while DER has no significant direct effect (β = -0.0418; p = 0.5927). Bank size does not moderate the VAIC-performance relationship (β = 0.1626; p = 0.2663), but negatively moderates the DER-performance relationship (β = -0.2780; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study contributes by applying panel-based moderation analysis to Islamic bank performance. Islamic banks should strengthen intellectual capital and manage leverage prudently as bank scale increases.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

etihad

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Social Sciences

Description

Etihad: Journal of Islamic Banking and Finance accepts original manuscripts in Islamic banking and finance (covering bank and non-bank financial institutions), manuscripts in the form of research reports, case reports, theory application, critical studies and literature ...