Distress in European Banks Before and During the Financial Crisis

30 Pages Posted: 6 Jul 2009 Last revised: 26 Jan 2010

See all articles by Tigran Poghosyan

Tigran Poghosyan

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Martin Čihák

International Monetary Fund (IMF); World Bank

Date Written: June 1, 2009

Abstract

Using a unique data set on bank distress, this paper provides novel empirical evidence on the determinants of bank soundness in the European Union (EU) as a whole. Estimation results support the hypothesis that bank risks have converged across EU members, providing empirical justification for introduction of the pan-European system of financial regulation. We show that asset quality and earning profile of banks are important determinants of bank distress next to leverage, and should be taken into account when designing new financial regulation in the EU. Market discipline both on the side of depositors and stock market participants plays role in the EU, supporting the notion that transparency and dissemination of financial information would contribute to the financial soundness of banks. We also provide evidence in favor of contagion effects, relatively higher fragility of concentrated banking sectors, and hazards associated with high share of wholesale funding.

Keywords: bank distress, banking regulation, Basel II Accord, market discipline

JEL Classification: G21, G28

Suggested Citation

Poghosyan, Tigran and Cihak, Martin and Cihak, Martin, Distress in European Banks Before and During the Financial Crisis (June 1, 2009). Paolo Baffi Centre Research Paper No. 2009-52, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1428806 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1428806

Tigran Poghosyan

International Monetary Fund (IMF) ( email )

700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20431
United States

Martin Cihak (Contact Author)

International Monetary Fund (IMF) ( email )

700 19th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20431
United States

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

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