We identify different sources of risk as important determinants of banks' corporate structures when expanding into new markets. Subsidiary-based corporate structures benefit from greater protection against economic risk because of affiliate-level limited liability, but are more exposed to the...

The paper examines the slowdown of lending by large U.S. banks over the period 2007Q3 - 2009Q2, focusing on: (i) whether capital or liquidity was the binding constraint; (ii) factors influencing banks’ decision to hold capital; and (iii) their pricing behavior. Using quarterly data for...

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die steuerinduzierten Wirkungen der Außenfinanzierung auf den Unternehmenswert von Immobilien-Kapitalgesellschaften. Im diesem Bereich existieren neben der gewerblichen Immobilien-AG steuerbegünstigte Rechtsformen, wie die vermögensverwaltende Immobilien-AG...

This paper explores factors behind Canadian banks' relative resilience in the ongoing credit turmoil. We identify two main causes: a higher share of depository funding (vs. wholesale funding) in liabilities, and a number of regulatory and structural factors in the Canadian market that reduced...

In this paper, we examine the effects of corporate governance on the financing policies of New Zealand firms for the period 2004-2008. Using a comprehensive corporate governance index and its sub parts, and employing the Fama and French (1999) methodology of financing model of firms, we find...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes the empirical relationship between corporate leverage—and other indicators of financial health—and investment in Israel, using dynamic panel data techniques. The results suggest that weak balance sheets may well have contributed to the investment...

The causes of the global financial crisis were multi-faceted but revealed still unresolved weaknesses in national and international financial oversight and resolution frameworks. In particular, many governments in the crisis-hit countries had to provide unprecedented levels of support to contain...

Staff Discussion Notes showcase the latest policy-related analysis and research being developed by individual IMF staff and are published to elicit comment and to further debate. These papers are generally brief and written in nontechnical language, and so are aimed at a broad audience...

This paper examines the relation between information asymmetry, capital structure and the cost of capital across countries, particularly focusing on how the relation is influenced by the various aspects of the institutional environment. Results show that firms with high levels of information...