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Regulation of bank proprietary trading post 2007–09 crisis: An examination of the Basel framework and Volcker rule

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  • Alexander, Gordon J.
  • Baptista, Alexandre M.
  • Yan, Shu

Abstract

In the aftermath of bank proprietary trading losses in the 2007–09 crisis, the Basel framework uses stressed Conditional Value-at-Risk to set minimum capital requirements for proprietary trading portfolios, whereas the Volcker rule restricts their composition in the US. With or without this rule, such requirements have the benefit of inducing a reduction in the risk of the optimal portfolio (measured by standard deviation) but at the cost of increasing its risk-to-minimum capital requirement ratio. As a hypothetical regulatory alternative, the proper use of standard deviation to set minimum capital requirements and circumvent pro-cyclicality improves upon the Basel framework and Volcker rule.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander, Gordon J. & Baptista, Alexandre M. & Yan, Shu, 2021. "Regulation of bank proprietary trading post 2007–09 crisis: An examination of the Basel framework and Volcker rule," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jimfin:v:119:y:2021:i:c:s0261560621001418
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jimonfin.2021.102490
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Post-crisis bank regulation; Proprietary trading; Basel framework; Volcker rule; Pro-cyclicality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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