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Political connections and informed trading: Evidence from TARP

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  • Akin, Ozlem
  • Coleman, Nicholas S.
  • Fons-Rosen, Christian
  • Peydró, José-Luis

Abstract

We study insider trading behavior surrounding the largest bank bailout in history: Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). In politically connected banks, insider buying during the pre‐TARP period is associated with increases in abnormal returns around bank‐specific TARP announcement; for unconnected banks, trading and returns are uncorrelated. Results hold across insiders within the same bank and are stronger for finance‐related government connections. Through a Freedom of Information Act request, we obtained the previously undisclosed TARP funds requested; the ratio of received to requested funds correlates both with abnormal returns and insider buying behavior in connected banks.

Suggested Citation

  • Akin, Ozlem & Coleman, Nicholas S. & Fons-Rosen, Christian & Peydró, José-Luis, 2019. "Political connections and informed trading: Evidence from TARP," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 50(3), pages 619-644.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:216891
    DOI: 10.1111/fima.12292
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    bank bailouts; insider trading; political connections; political economy in banking; TARP;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • 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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