Borrowing Beyond Bounds: How Banks Pass On Regulatory Compliance Costs

Banks in the euro area must inform supervisors about each exposure that exceed 10% of the bank’s capital. Using a granular dataset that combines banks’ loan and security portfolios, we test whether banks pass on the cost of complying with the large-exposure framework to borrowers above the threshold. We show that after a decrease in the reporting threshold, small banks react by shifting more exposures just below the threshold. In addition, banks charge a sizable 76 basis point interest rate premium for large exposures, relative to firms just below the threshold. This premium is more pronounced for small banks and borrowers with fewer banking relationships and hence fewer outside options. In response, when firms approach their bank’s large exposure threshold, they become more likely to borrow from other banks. Despite the “large-exposure penalty”, we find no statistical evidence for bunching below the threshold, suggesting that there are substantial frictions that prevent firms from switching to better-capitalized banks to reduce interest expenses.

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Borrowing Beyond Bounds: How Banks Pass On Regulatory Compliance Costs
  • Published on 08/06/2024
  • FR
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Updated on: 08/06/2024 10:19