We analyze the main forces affecting financial system pro-cyclicality (the fact that developments in the financial sector can amplify business cycle fluctuations). We first review some major structural developments in financial markets that may influence pro-cyclicality and that have been...

In interbank clearing networks, a bank experiencing sudden liquidity or solvency problems may prevent settlement of the claims of its direct creditors, which may in turn jeopardize settlement of other institutions. The paper presents an empirical assessment of the potential size of this 'domino...