CEPR Discussion Paper – Sharing the Burden Equally? Intra-Group Effects of Bank Capital Requirements

Author(s):
Hans Degryse, Mike Mariathasan, Carola Theunisz

Date:
September 2023

Abstract:

This paper investigates the intra-group transmission of stricter capital regulation imposed at the banking group level. Specifically, we study how a policy-induced increase in the regulatory capital ratio impacts the capital adequacy composition, lending and risk-taking of the affiliated subsidiaries. Using a combination of bank and loan-level data, we find that once a banking group faces tighter consolidated capital requirements, the recapitalization efforts are concentrated at the subsidiary- as opposed to the headquarters-level. Subsidiaries reduce risk-weighted assets in part through a reduction in credit supply. This contraction is more pronounced at subsidiaries that are either relatively small, less profitable or loosely regulated.

Link:

CEPR Press Discussion Paper No. 18443 – Sharing the Burden Equally? Intra-Group Effects of Bank Capital Requirements