The Great Cross-Border Bank Deleveraging: Supply Constraints and Intra-Group Frictions

Author/Editor:

Eugenio M Cerutti ; Stijn Claessens

Publication Date:

September 25, 2014

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

International banks greatly reduced their direct cross-border and local affiliates’ lending as the global financial crisis strained balance sheets, lowered borrower demand, and changed government policies. Using bilateral, lender-borrower countrydata and controlling for credit demand, we show that reductions largely varied in line with markets’ prior assessments of banks’ vulnerabilities, with banks’ financial statement variables and lender-borrower country characteristics playing minor roles. We find evidence that moving resources within banking groups became more restricted as drivers of reductions in direct cross-border loans differ from those for local affiliates’ lending, especially for impaired banking systems. Home bias induced by government interventions, however, affected both equally.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2014/180

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

September 25, 2014

ISBN/ISSN:

9781498354783/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2014180

Pages:

38

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org