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Regulatory competition and forbearance: Evidence from the life insurance industry

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  • McShane, Michael K.
  • Cox, Larry A.
  • Butler, Richard J.

Abstract

Regulatory separation theory indicates that a system with multiple regulators leads to less forbearance and limits producer gains while a model of banking regulation developed by Dell'Ariccia and Marquez (2006) predicts the opposite. Fragmented regulation of the US life insurance industry provides an especially rich environment for testing the effects of regulatory competition. We find positive relations between regulatory competition and profitability measures for this industry, which is consistent with the Dell'Ariccia and Marquez model. Our results have practical implications for the debate over federal versus state regulation of insurance and financial services in the US.

Suggested Citation

  • McShane, Michael K. & Cox, Larry A. & Butler, Richard J., 2010. "Regulatory competition and forbearance: Evidence from the life insurance industry," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 522-532, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:34:y:2010:i:3:p:522-532
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    4. Bojan Srbinoski & Klime Poposki & Gorazd Čibej, 2021. "An empirical investigation of determinants of life insurers’ performance: Evidence from selected countries in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe (CESEE)," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 24(3), pages 293-310, September.
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    6. Killins, Robert N., 2020. "Firm-specific, industry-specific and macroeconomic factors of life insurers’ profitability: Evidence from Canada," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    7. Ali Shaddady, 2022. "Business environment, political risk, governance, Shariah compliance and efficiency in insurance companies in the MENA region," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 47(4), pages 861-904, October.

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