International and Cross-Border Bank Lending and Implications in SEACEN Economies: Balance Sheet Perspective

The role of international banking and lending to the emerging markets has been long debated. To date, the balance of evidence supports the view that foreign bank entry into the domestic banking system has been largely a positive one. The liberalisation of local banking systems and the presence of foreign banks have, indeed, been contended to promote institutional and regulatory/supervisory improvements and have also resulted in more efficient allocation of productive resources in globalised economies. Likewise, foreign banks have been touted as a stabilising force for host markets. Yet, this proclaimed stabilising role may seem at odds with the view that activities of the global banks have spread profound difficulties in international financial markets, including the SEACEN economies, during the recent subprime financial crisis period. The objective of this research project is to evaluate a number of perspectives on the presence and bearing of the global banks in SEACEN economies. In particular, it seeks to address a number of rising policy concerns from the aftermath of the recent subprime crisis.