We estimate the shadow cost of capital requirements using data on a costly loophole that allowed banks to relax these constraints. This loophole — liquidity guarantees to asset-backed commercial paper conduits — was exploited by the largest banks before the crisis of 2008. We show...

We take issue with claims that the funding mix of banks, which makes them fragile and crisis-prone, is efficient because it reflects special liquidity benefits of bank debt. Even aside from neglecting the systemic damage to the economy that banks' distress and default cause, such claims are...

We take issue with claims that the funding mix of banks, which makes them fragile and crisisprone, is efficient because it reflects special liquidity benefits of bank debt. Even aside from neglecting the systemic damage to the economy that banks' distress and default cause, such claims are...

Firms' inability to commit to future funding choices has profound consequences for capital structure dynamics. With debt in place, shareholders pervasively resist leverage reductions no matter how much such reductions may enhance firm value. Shareholders would instead choose to increase leverage...

This paper examines the question of whether it is ethical for company officials to use the force of government to reduce or eliminate foreign competition, using the antidumping laws as a case study. This paper begins with a brief examination of the U.S. antidumping laws, then examines several...

Firms' inflexibility in adjusting output prices to input-cost shocks exacerbates information asymmetry between firm insiders and outsiders, but the government's disclosure of economic statistics mitigates this problem. We measure the public visibility of firms' input costs using a combination of...

The frequency with which firms adjust output prices helps explain persistent differences in capital structure across firms. Unconditionally, the most exible-price firms have a 19% higher long-term leverage ratio than the most sticky-price firms, controlling for known determinants of capital...

We develop a capital structure model in which firms feature differential flexibility in adjusting output prices to shocks. Inflexible-price firms have lower profits and higher cash-flow volatility, leading in equilibrium to lower financial leverage, shorter debt duration, higher cost of debt,...

This paper offers a critical survey of the swings in banking regulation, notably with reference to leverage and risk weighted ratios. At the outset the distinction is made between economic and regulatory capital and between private vs social costs/benefits of equity finance for banking firms....