Systemic Illiquidity in the Interbank Network

Abstract

We study systemic illiquidity using a unique data set on UK banks’ daily cash flows, short-term interbank funding and liquid asset buffers. Failure to roll-over short-term funding or repay obligations when they fall due generates an externality in the form of systemic illiquidity. We simulate a model in which systemic illiquidity propagates in the interbank funding network over multiple days. In this setting, we show that systemic illiquidity is minimised by a macroprudential policy that skews the distribution of liquid assets towards banks that are important in the network.

Keywords: Interbank network, systemic risk, liquidity regulation, macroprudential policy

JEL Classification: D85, E44, E58, G28, L14