Building a Framework to Address Failure of Complex Global Financial Institutions

Abstract

The systemic phase of the current global financial crisis was triggered by the failure of large complex global financial institutions (LCGFIs). In this context, as recognised by the Group of 20, one of the greatest failures of both international and domestic legal and regulatory systems has been the lack of appropriate arrangements, including adequate insolvency arrangements, to address such failures when they occur. Following a discussion of the difficulties of dealing with the failure of large complex global financial conglomerates, the article discusses advocates a framework based upon prevention of failure as the first element and mechanisms to address failure when they occur as the second framework. The article concludes that while it may be possible to develop adequate international arrangements relating to prevention, there is still insufficient consensus in respect of actual insolvency arrangements for any international framework to emerge at present.

Keywords: LCFI, large complex financial institution, G20, Financial Stability Forum, insolvency, deposit insurance