We use tools from survival analysis to study the equilibrium probability of bank failure in a model with imperfect correlation in loan defaults where a systematic risk factor and idiosyncratic frailty factors govern borrower credit worth. We derive several surprising results: in equilibrium, a...

A model of loan rate competition with liquidity provision by banks is used to study bank mergers. Both loan rate competition and liquidity needs are seen to be "localised" phenomena. This allows for tracing down the effects of particular types of bank mergers. As such, we contrast the effects of...

Empirical findings document a number of facts on small business finance and relationship lending, that lack hitherto a theoretical explanation. First, the impact of competition on relationship lending may be nonmonotonic and depends on the organizational structure of the banking market. Second,...

Recent experience from Europe and Japan shows that commercial banks generally pass negative short-term policy rates on to wholesale depositors, such as insurances and pension funds. Yet, they refrain from charging negative rates to ordinary retail customers. This paper asks whether the existing...

We argue that strong globalization forces have been an important determinant of globalreal interest rates over the last five decades, as they have been key drivers of changes inthe natural real interest rate-i.e. the interest rate consistent with output at its potentialand constant inflation. An...

Incorporating insights from the theory of vertical integration, I develop a new definition of commercial lending markets. Borrowers competing against each other across geo- graphical areas of bank influence limit the effect lack of bank competition can have on interest rates. Using the novel...

A large theoretical literature shows that competition reduces banks' franchise values and induces them to take more risk. Recent research contradicts this result: When banks charge lower rates, their borrowers have an incentive to choose safer investments, so they will in turn be safer. However,...

We study how universal banking, that is, allowing banks to take equity positions in firms to which they lend, affects optimal financing structure and social welfare. Financing a firm through equity holding can improve a bank’s risk-taking incentive in restructuring the firm in bad times, but...

Recent experience from Europe and Japan shows that commercial banks generally pass negative short-term policy rates on to wholesale depositors, such as insurances and pension funds. Yet, they refrain from charging negative rates to ordinary retail customers. This paper asks whether the existing...