Leverage ratio restrictions : An empirical evaluation of their pros and cons
Leverage ratio restrictions : an empirical evaluation of their pros and cons
Carole Haritchabalet
CATT, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, France
Laetitia Lepetit
LAPE, Université de Limoges, France
ORCID: 0000-0002-2875-4432
Kevin Spinassou
LC2S, Université des Antilles, France
kevin.spinassou@univ-antilles.fr
ORCID : 0000-0001-5740-8355
Abstract : Given recent regulatory changes under Basel III, we empirically examine the impact of leverage ratio and risk-based capital requirements on bank risk taking and lending, allowing for different degrees of supervisory strength. Using data for 66 countries covering the period 2000-2014, we find that banks in countries with a leverage ratio restriction grant fewer loans and have higher credit risk compared to banks facing no leverage ratio requirement, independently of the strength of the supervisory regime. We further find that those negative side-effects of leverage ratio requirements on bank lending and credit risk are not offset by higher capital stringency.
Keywords : bank regulation, leverage ratio, bank risk, credit supply.
Jel Classification : G21, G28.
