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Financial Regulation and Government Revenue: The Effects of a Policy Change in Ethiopia

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  • Nicola Limodio
  • Francesco Strobbe

Abstract

Financial regulation can generate government revenue by imposing the quantity and price of government bonds. We study an unexpected banking regulation introduced in 2011 by the Ethiopian Central Bank, forcing commercial banks to purchase a negative-yield government bond. High-frequency bank data and public finances documentation allow tracking the subsequent government revenue gain. This policy is compared to three alternatives: raising funds competitively on international markets; distorting the state- owned bank lending; and raising deposits through state-owned bank branches. Our results suggest that the revenue gain is moderate (1.5-2.6% of tax revenue); banks amass more bonds; their profitability slows without turning negative (from 10% to 2%).

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Limodio & Francesco Strobbe, 2018. "Financial Regulation and Government Revenue: The Effects of a Policy Change in Ethiopia," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 1880, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    • Handle: RePEc:baf:cbafwp:cbafwp1880
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial Regulation; Government Revenue; Bank Taxes; Banks; Ethiopia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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