Banks, Government Bonds, and Default: What do the Data Say?
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Summary:
We analyze holdings of public bonds by over 20,000 banks in 191 countries, and the role of these bonds in 20 sovereign defaults over 1998-2012. Banks hold many public bonds (on average 9% of their assets), particularly in less financially-developed countries. During sovereign defaults, banks increase their exposure to public bonds, especially large banks and when expected bond returns are high. At the bank level, bondholdings correlate negatively with subsequent lending during sovereign defaults. This correlation is mostly due to bonds acquired in pre-default years. These findings shed light on alternative theories of the sovereign default-banking crisis nexus.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2014/120
Subject:
Bank credit Banking Bonds Financial crises Financial institutions Financial sector policy and analysis Loans Sovereign bonds Stress testing
English
Publication Date:
July 8, 2014
ISBN/ISSN:
9781498391993/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA2014120
Pages:
53
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