When Bigger Isn't Better: Bailouts and Bank Behaviour

Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP8602

Authors: Marcus Miller; Lei Zhang; Han Hao Li

Abstract: The traditional theory of commercial banking explains maturity transformation and liquidity provision assuming no asymmetric information and no excess profits. It captures the possibility of bank runs and business cycle risk; but it ignores the moral hazard problems connected with risk-taking by large banks counting on state bail outs. In this paper market concentration and risk-shifting is incorporated in an analytically tractable fashion; and the modified framework is used to consider measures to restore competition and stability--including, in particular, those recommended for the UK by the Independent Commission on Banking (2011), chaired by Sir John Vickers.

Keywords: bailouts; money and banking; regulation; risk-taking; seigniorage

JEL Codes: E41; E58; G21; G28


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
Market Concentration (L11)Risk-Taking Behavior (D91)
Bailouts (H81)Bank Behavior (G21)
Regulatory Measures (G18)Stability (C62)

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