ECB Paper on Impact of Bank Funding Shocks on Credit Reallocation
ECB published a paper that presents a comprehensive analysis of the sector- and firm-specific strategies that banks follow when their funding is affected by a negative shock. The authors focus on assessing the impact of bank funding shocks on credit allocation by banks, also providing evidence on the strategic lending decisions made by banks facing a negative funding shock and describing the implications of the findings for bank regulators.
The paper provides the results on the average impact of the interbank funding shock as well as the reallocation effects.Using bank-firm level credit data, the authors show that banks reallocate credit within their loan portfolio in at least three different ways. First, banks reallocate to sectors where they have a high market share. Second, they also reallocate to sectors in which they are more specialized. Third, they reallocate credit toward low-risk firms. These reallocation effects are economically large. A standard deviation increase in sector market share, sector specialization, or firm soundness reduces the transmission of the funding shock to credit supply by 22%, 8% and 10%, respectively. Overall, banks reallocate credit toward firms with low debt levels, low default risk, high available collateral, and a high interest coverage ratios. The paper also provides insights on the timing of funding shock impact and the timing of the reallocation channels. It investigates whether the funding shock has real effects on firm investment and growth, before presenting its conclusions.
The findings also contain interesting information for bank regulators. The results reveal a bright sight of lending concentration during the times of crisis and are thus informative when making the trade-off between portfolio concentration risk and having sufficient information about borrowers. Finally, the results suggest that not only systemic risk and financial stability issues should be taken into account when studying the welfare implications of portfolio diversification, but that it could also be relevant to consider the potentially beneficial impact of lending concentration on firm credit supply.
Related Link: Working Paper (PDF)
Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Concentration Risk, Systemic Risk, Credit Risk, Credit Allocation, Research, ECB
Featured Experts

Jun Chen
A well-recognized researcher in the field; offers many years of experience in the real estate finance industry, and leads research efforts in expanding credit risk analytics to commercial real estate.

Dr. Douglas W. Dwyer
Douglas W. Dwyer leads Corporate Credit Research in Predictive Analytics. This group produces credit risk metrics of small businesses, medium sized enterprises, large corporations, financial institutions, and sovereigns worldwide. The group’s models are used by banks, asset managers, insurance companies, accounting firms and corporations to measure name specific credit risk for a wide variety of purposes. We measure credit risk using information drawn from financial statements, regulatory filings, security prices, derivative contracts, behavioral and payment information. For each asset class, the methodology is developed based on the available information for each obligor. <br><br> Current projects include developing a climate adjusted probability of default and incorporating ESG factors into credit analytics. We also are developing an approach to produces comparable PDs across asset classes that opportunistically uses whatever information is available. <br><br> Prior to working at Moody’s Analytics, Dr. Dwyer was a Principal at William M. Mercer, Inc., in their Human Capital Strategy practice. Dr. Dwyer earned a Ph.D. in Economics at Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics from Oberlin College.

David Hamilton
Financial economist; recognized expert on credit risk and default research, credit ratings, modeling, analytics and stress-testing; specializes in Asia-Pacific economic, regulatory, and credit risk trends/analysis
Related Articles
APRA Publishes Results of Climate Risk Self-Assessment Survey
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has published the findings of its latest climate risk self-assessment survey conducted across the banking, insurance, and superannuation industries.
ACPR Publishes Updates Related to CRD IV and Covered Bonds
The French Prudential Supervisory Authority (ACPR) published a notice related to the methods for calculating and publishing prudential ratios under the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV) and the minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL).
BIS Paper Contributes to Debate on Regulating NBFIs and Big Techs
The Financial Stability Institute (FSI) of the Bank for International Settlements recently published a paper proposing a framework for classifying financial stability regulation as either entity-based or activity-based.
EIOPA Publishes Guidance on Climate Change Scenarios in ORSA
The European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority (EIOPA) published the risk dashboard based on Solvency II data and the final version of the application guidance on climate change materiality assessments and climate change scenarios in the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA).
EBA and ECB Respond to Proposals on Sustainability Disclosures
The European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Central Bank (ECB) published their responses to the consultations of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) on sustainability-related disclosure standards.
BIS Report Notes Existing Gaps in Climate Risk Data at Central Banks
A Consultative Group on Risk Management (CGRM) at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) published a report that examines incorporation of climate risks into the international reserve management framework.
EBA Publishes Multiple Regulatory Updates for Regulated Entities
The European Banking Authority (EBA) published the final guidelines on liquidity requirements exemption for investment firms, updated version of its 5.2 filing rules document for supervisory reporting, and Single Rulebook Question and Answer (Q&A) updates in July 2022.
EIOPA Issues SII Taxonomy and Guide on Sustainability Preferences
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) published Version 2.8.0 of the Solvency II data point model (DPM) and XBRL taxonomy.
EESC Opines on Proposals on CRR and European Single Access Point
The European Union published, in the Official Journal of the European Union, an opinion from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC); the opinion is on the proposal for a regulation to amend the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR).
HM Treasury Publishes Multiple Regulatory Updates in July 2022
HM Treasury published a draft statutory instrument titled “The Financial Services (Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022,” along with the related explanatory memorandum and impact assessment.