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The impact of the IRB approach on the risk weights of European banks

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  • Pérez Montes, Carlos
  • Trucharte Artigas, Carlos
  • Cristófoli, María Elizabeth
  • Lavín San Segundo, Nadia

Abstract

We use European Banking Authority (EBA) 2014 stress test data to study the use of the internal ratings based approach (IRB) and the risk weights of European banks. A simple inspection of data at country level reveals significant differences in the use of the IRB approach by banks and in risk weighted asset (RWA) densities. Empirical analysis of these differences is conducted at both the level of bank group and country of exposure. A clearly negative relation is found between use of the IRB approach and RWA densities, even after controlling for portfolio and bank characteristics. The jurisdiction in which a credit exposure is located affects both the use of IRB and risk density. Portfolio variables (default rate, weight of corporate exposures), and bank characteristics (book equity ratio, liquidity measures) are also significantly related to risk weights. The analysis of the dataset also provides some evidence of a relation between RWA density and IRB utilization, and portfolio composition, bank size, and market risk measures (stock return volatility, CDS spreads).

Suggested Citation

  • Pérez Montes, Carlos & Trucharte Artigas, Carlos & Cristófoli, María Elizabeth & Lavín San Segundo, Nadia, 2018. "The impact of the IRB approach on the risk weights of European banks," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 147-166.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finsta:v:39:y:2018:i:c:p:147-166
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfs.2016.11.004
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    2. Giorgio Calcagnini & Federico Favaretto & Germana Giombini, 2024. "The effect of 2020 lockdown on bank internal ratings," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 51(2), pages 355-396, June.
    3. Ly, Kim Cuong & Shimizu, Katsutoshi, 2021. "Did Basel regulation cause a significant procyclicality?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    4. Conlon, Thomas & Huan, Xing & Muckley, Cal B., 2024. "Does national culture influence malfeasance in banks around the world?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    5. Merikas, Andreas & Merika, Anna & Penikas, Henry I. & Surkov, Mikhail A., 2020. "The Basel II internal ratings based (IRB) model and the transition impact on the listed Greek banks," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 22(C).
    6. Böhnke, Victoria & Ongena, Steven & Paraschiv, Florentina & Reite, Endre J., 2023. "Back to the roots of internal credit risk models: Does risk explain why banks' risk-weighted asset levels converge over time?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    7. Stepankova, Barbora & Teply, Petr, 2023. "Consistency of banks' internal probability of default estimates: Empirical evidence from the COVID-19 crisis," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    8. Dal Borgo, Mariela, 2022. "Internal models for deposits: Effects on banks' capital and interest rate risk of assets," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    9. Raffaele Gallo, 2020. "The impact of the IRB approach on the relationship between the cost of credit for public companies and financial market conditions," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1290, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    10. Schlam, Carina & Woyand, Corinna, 2023. "The rollout of internal credit risk models: Implications for the novel partial-use philosophy," Discussion Papers 07/2023, Deutsche Bundesbank.
    11. Han, Ruoning & Muyeed, Ahadul Kabir, 2024. "Deposit competition and effectiveness of bank capital requirements," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    12. Raffaele Gallo, 2021. "The IRB approach and bank lending to firms," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1347, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Risk weights; Credit risk; IRB; Portfolio management; Banking regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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