We use a macroeconomic euro area model with a bank sector to study the pro-cyclical effect of the capital regulation, focusing on the extra pro-cyclicality induced by Basel II over Basel I. Our ...results suggest that this incremental effect is modest. We also find that regulators could offset the extra pro-cyclicality by a countercyclical capital-requirements policy. Our results also suggest that banks may have incentives to accumulate countercyclical capital buffers, making this policy less relevant, but this finding is depends on the type of economic shock posited. We also survey different policy options for dealing with procyclicality and discuss the pros and cons of the measures available.
We use a macroeconomic euro area model with a bank sector to study the pro-cyclical effect of the capital regulation, focusing on the extra pro-cyclicality induced by Basel II over Basel I. Our ...results suggest that this incremental effect is modest. We also find that regulators could offset the extra pro-cyclicality by a countercyclical capital-requirements policy. Our results also suggest that banks may have incentives to accumulate countercyclical capital buffers, making this policy less relevant, but this finding is depends on the type of economic shock posited. We also survey different policy options for dealing with procyclicality and discuss the pros and cons of the measures available.
The financial crisis that began in 2007 has revealed a need for a new supervisory and regulatory approach aimed at strengthening the system and containing the risk of future financial and economic ...disruptions. Three ingredients are needed to ensure financial stability: robust analysis, better regulation, and international cooperation. First, financial stability analysis must be improved to take full account of the different sources of systemic risk. Data coverage of the balance sheets of both non-bank financial institutions and the non-financial sectors should be increased. Moreover, to address the problems raised by the interconnections among financial institutions more granular and timely information on their exposures is needed. There must be further integration of macro- and micro-information and an upgrading of financial stability models. The second ingredient is the design of robust regulatory measures. Under the auspices of the G20 and the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision recently put forward substantial proposals on capital and liquidity. They will result in more robust capital base, lower leverage, less cyclical capital rules and better control of liquidity risk. Finally, the third ingredient is strong international cooperation. Ensuring more effective exchanges of information among supervisors in different jurisdictions and successful common actions is key in preserving financial integration, while avoiding negative cross-border spill-overs. Better resolution regimes are part of the efforts to ensure that the crisis of one institution does not impair the ability of the financial markets to provide essential services to the economy.
The financial crisis that began in 2007 has revealed a need for a new supervisory and regulatory approach aimed at strengthening the system and containing the risk of future financial and economic ...disruptions. Three ingredients are needed to ensure financial stability: robust analysis, better regulation, and international cooperation. First, financial stability analysis must be improved to take full account of the different sources of systemic risk. Data coverage of the balance sheets of both non-bank financial institutions and the non-financial sectors should be increased. Moreover, to address the problems raised by the interconnections among financial institutions more granular and timely information on their exposures is needed. There must be further integration of macro- and micro-information and an upgrading of financial stability models. The second ingredient is the design of robust regulatory measures. Under the auspices of the G20 and the Financial Stability Board, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision recently put forward substantial proposals on capital and liquidity. They will result in more robust capital base, lower leverage, less cyclical capital rules and better control of liquidity risk. Finally, the third ingredient is strong international cooperation. Ensuring more effective exchanges of information among supervisors in different jurisdictions and successful common actions is key in preserving financial integration, while avoiding negative cross-border spill-overs. Better resolution regimes are part of the efforts to ensure that the crisis of one institution does not impair the ability of the financial markets to provide essential services to the economy.
In the debate that followed the financial crisis, the introduction of counter-cyclical measures has been advocated as one of the possible solutions to the risk of pro-cyclicality in the financial ...system. Various proposals have been put forward and in December 2009, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published a consultative document that addresses this issue. Given the different facets of pro-cyclicality and the lack of a silver bullet, the Basel Committee opted for a set of complementary tools, including measures for mitigating the cyclicality of the capital requirements, promoting more forward-looking provisions, inducing banks to conserve capital, and achieving the macro-prudential goal of protecting the banking sector from excessive credit growth. While some parts of the counter-cyclical package have been carefully designed, discussed in depth and eventually agreed, others have been overlooked or completely neglected in shaping the final reform package.