Regulation of International Financial Markets and International Banking

The research group ‘Regulation of International Financial Markets and International Banking’ analyses international capital flows as well as the consequences of regulatory changes for financial stability and intermediation. Both aspects can facilitate an efficient allocation of capital and enable risk sharing, but spark at the same time global financial instabilities. Banking regulation and supervision has accordingly changed significantly over recent years, but the impact of these comprehensive reforms on the functionality of the financial system remain unclear. In addition banks face further challenges, such as tightening monetary policy, geopolitical risks, and the emergence of new competitors due to digitalization. 

Against this backdrop, the research group contributes to the literature in three ways. First, the group empirically analyses international capital flow determinants and the implications for financial stability and credit allocation. Periods characterised by a high degree of financial integration are often followed by financial crises, causing negative spill-overs to the real economy. This work package seeks to advance our understanding of how to maintain a stable banking system that is able to efficiently channel financial resources to firms and households alike. 

Second, the group analyses the impact of changes in banking supervision and regulation on (inter)national activities of banks with a specific focus on the European integration process. The establishment of the European Banking Union constantly shapes the banking sector as prudential and regulatory responsibilities are transferred from the national to the Euro area level. Integrated markets allow for an early detection of soaring risks at an early stage, but new regulations can also create distortions. This work package contributes to the scant empirical evidence on this trade-off. 

Third, “traditional” banks are not only operating in a tighter regulatory framework, they also face plenty of challenges threatening their business model and longer-term profitability. For example, increasing interest rates sparked deposit withdrawals and valuation losses of banks’ fixed income investment. Distortions due to the realization of political risks and rising levels of public, private, and corporate debt might bear the risk of future non-performing loans. The emergence of non-bank financial intermediaries (FinTech) challenge current business models of banks. The consequences for banks or their new competitors should be monitored. 

Workpackage 1: The Shape of International Financial Markets

Workpackage 2: Evaluation of Regulatory Policies in Integrated Markets

Workpackage 3: Financial Intermediation in a Changing World

IWH Data Project: International Banking Library

The International Banking Library is a web-based platform for the exchange of research on cross-border banking. It provides access to data sources, academic research, both theoretical and empirical, on cross-border banking, as well as information on regulatory initiatives. The International Banking Library addresses researchers, policymakers, and students of international banking and economics in search of comprehensive information on international banking issues. 

The contents of the International Banking Library are summarised and distributed in a quarterly newsletter, thereby adding to the international visibility of the IWH (with more than 700 subscribers from academia, central banks and the industry) and facilitating a regular exchange of our research ideas with policy makers.

IWH Data Project: Financial Markets Directives Database

In Europe, financial markets have undergone significant regulatory changes since the last financial and sovereign debt crisis. One key element is the harmonisation of rules for capital regulation, bank resolution and deposit insurance. In the euro area, the sizable change in the regulatory framework is also reflected by the establishment of the European Banking Union. 

Another change that might have implications for financial structure is the establishment of a Capital Market Union. Evidence-based policymaking and the evaluation of (un-)intended consequences of such reforms needs information on when regulatory changes happen. In the European Union, the cornerstones of regulatory changes that apply to all member states are implemented by means of regulations or directives. The latter ones have to be implemented, with some scope for discretion, into national law by the member states. The Financial Markets Directives Database assembles the dates at which countries have published the key legal document related to several recent directives affecting financial markets. 

The cornerstone of the database constitutes information on the European Banking Union including its three directives on capital requirements, bank resolution and deposit insurance (CRD IV, BRRD, DGSD). The database has been made publically available via the website “International Banking Library” and is part of the Centre for Evidence-based Policy Advice (IWH-CEP).