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Governance and Financial Fragility: Evidence from a Cross-Section of Countries

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  • Michael Francis

Abstract

The author explores the role of governance mechanisms as a means of reducing financial fragility. First, he develops a simple theoretical general-equilibrium model in which instability arises due to an agency problem resulting from a conflict of interest between the borrower and lender. In particular, when governance is weak and transaction costs are high, the share of capital assets that creditors can claim as collateral is highly sensitive to shocks. As a result, there is financial fragility, in that the willingness of agents to finance productive investments is sensitive to shocks. Second, using a data set that contains over 90 industrialized and developing economies, the author tests the hypothesis that governance is important in explaining financial fragility (measured as the likelihood of a banking crisis and investment volatility). His results show that institutions, rules, and laws that govern the financial environment are of first-order importance for the stability of financial systems. The author finds that, while better legal systems are particularly important, so are democratic institutions that limit the power of the executive.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Francis, 2003. "Governance and Financial Fragility: Evidence from a Cross-Section of Countries," Staff Working Papers 03-34, Bank of Canada.
    • Handle: RePEc:bca:bocawp:03-34
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nurfilzah Arham & Mohd Shamlie Salisi & Rozita Uji Mohammed & Jasman Tuyon, 2020. "Impact of macroeconomic cyclical indicators and country governance on bank non-performing loans in Emerging Asia," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 10(4), pages 707-726, December.
    2. Nicoletta Batini, 2019. "Macroeconomic Gains from Reforming the Agri-Food Sector: The Case of France," IMF Working Papers 2019/041, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Robert Lavigne, 2006. "The Institutional and Political Determinants of Fiscal Adjustment," Staff Working Papers 06-1, Bank of Canada.
    4. Saoussen Ben Gamra & Dominique Plihon, 2007. "Qualité Des Institutions, Libéralisation Et Crises Bancaires Le Cas Des Pays Émergents," CEPN Working Papers hal-00574136, HAL.
    5. Mr. Tidiane Kinda & Mr. Montfort Mlachila & Rasmané Ouedraogo, 2016. "Commodity Price Shocks and Financial Sector Fragility," IMF Working Papers 2016/012, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Gamberger, Dragan & Smuc, Tomislav, 2013. "Good governance problems and recent financial crises in some EU countries," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel), vol. 7, pages 1-20.
    7. Taiji Harashima, 2004. "The Bad Government: A Source of Uncertainty and Business Fluctuations," Microeconomics 0407010, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Gamberger, Dragan & Smuc, Tomislav, 2013. "Good governance problems and recent financial crises in some EU countries," Economics Discussion Papers 2013-39, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    9. Saoussen Ben Gamra & Dominique Plihon, 2007. "Qualité Des Institutions, Libéralisation Et Crises Bancaires Le Cas Des Pays Émergents," Working Papers hal-00574136, HAL.

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    JEL classification:

    • G0 - Financial Economics - - General

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