A Model of Takeovers of Foreign Banks

Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP2639

Authors: Rafael Repullo

Abstract: This Paper investigates the determinants of the takeover of a foreign bank by a domestic bank whereby the former becomes a branch of the latter. Each bank is initially supervised by a national agency that cares about closure costs and deposit insurance payouts, and may decide the early closure of the bank on the basis of supervisory information. Under the principle of home country control, the takeover moves responsibility for both the supervision of the foreign bank and the insurance of the foreign deposits to the domestic agency. It is shown that the takeover is more likely to happen if the foreign bank is small (relative to the foreign banking market) and its investments are risky (relative to those of the domestic bank). Moreover, the takeover is in general welfare improving for both countries.

Keywords: bank closure; bank supervision; cross-border bank mergers; deposit insurance; home country control; international banks; takeovers in banking

JEL Codes: G21; G28; G34


Causal Claims Network Graph

Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.


Causal Claims

CauseEffect
small foreign bank (G21)increased likelihood of takeover (G34)
riskier investments by foreign bank (F65)increased likelihood of takeover (G34)
lower deposit insurance premiums (G52)increased likelihood of takeover (G34)
takeover (G34)welfare improvement for both countries (I39)
supervisory leniency (K40)welfare improvement post-takeover (I38)
loss of supervisory information (D83)increased social welfare (I39)

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