Accounting Discretion, Market Discipline and Bank Behaviour: Some Insights from Fair Value Accounting
37 Pages Posted: 20 Feb 2017
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Accounting Discretion, Market Discipline and Bank Behaviour: Some Insights from Fair Value Accounting
Accounting Discretion, Market Discipline and Bank Behaviour: Some Insights from Fair Value Accounting
Date Written: February 17, 2017
Abstract
Using quarterly data on FAS 157 fair value disclosures for US bank holding companies from 2008 to 2013, we test whether capital ratios and the effects of market discipline differ according to extent and nature of assets recognized under Level 3 standards. These standards offer management significant discretion for measuring fair values, potentially reducing bank transparency and affecting market perceptions about bank risk. We find limited evidence that capital ratios are lower at institutions engaging in Level 3 trading activities for given risk levels, consistent with opportunistic behaviour. We also find that market discipline, as measured by whether an institution has a US stock exchange listing or dependence on short-term, uninsured funding sources, is effective in moderating this behaviour. At these institutions capital ratios are higher, consistent with there being a direct (ex ante) disciplining effect on bank behaviour.
Keywords: Banking, market discipline, accounting discretion, regulatory capital ratios
JEL Classification: G21, G28, G32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation