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Reforming LIBOR and Other Financial-Market Benchmarks

Author

Listed:
  • Duffie, Darrell

    (Stanford University)

  • Stein, Jeremy C.

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

We outline key steps necessary to reform the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) so as to improve its robustness to manipulation. We first discuss the role of financial benchmarks such as LIBOR in promoting over-the-counter market efficiency by improving transparency. We then describe how to mitigate LIBOR manipulation incentives by: (i) widening the types of transactions used to fix LIBOR; and (ii) encouraging a transition of "rates trading" applications of LIBOR derivatives to alternative reference rates that are in principle more suitable for this purpose because they do not include the bank-credit-spread component inherent in LIBOR. The current exceptional depth and liquidity of LIBOR-based markets are self-fulfilling sources of dominance for LIBOR as the reference rate of choice among rates traders. This liquidity agglomeration around LIBOR is probably accidental and inefficient, and creates an incentive to manipulate LIBOR. A transition of rates trading to alternative reference rates, however, may be difficult to arrange without official-sector involvement.

Suggested Citation

  • Duffie, Darrell & Stein, Jeremy C., 2014. "Reforming LIBOR and Other Financial-Market Benchmarks," Research Papers 3170, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:stabus:3170
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Duffie, Darrell & Dworczak, Piotr, 2021. "Robust benchmark design," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 775-802.
    2. David Hou Author-Name: David Skeie, 2013. "LIBOR: origins, economics, crisis, scandal and reform," The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics,, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Darrell Duffie & David R. Skeie & James Vickery, 2013. "A sampling-window approach to transactions-based Libor fixing," Staff Reports 596, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • 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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