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Risks and challenges of complex financial isntruments: an analysis of SSM banks

Author

Listed:
  • Rosario Roca

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Francesco Potente

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Luca Giulio Ciavoliello

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Alessandro Conciarelli

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Giovanni Diprizio

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Lanfranco Lodi

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Roberto Mosca

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Tommaso Perez

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Jacopo Raponi

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Emiliano Sabatini

    (Bank of Italy)

  • Antonio Schifino

    (Bank of Italy)

Abstract

We investigate the valuation risk affecting financial instruments classified as L2 and L3 for accounting purposes. These are instruments that are not directly traded in active markets and are often relatively complex, opaque and illiquid. There is a huge volume of L2 and L3 instruments in the balance sheets of SSM banks (around �6.8 trillion worth, considering both assets and liabilities). We argue that the complexity and opacity of these instruments create substantial room for discretionary accounting and prudential choices by financial intermediaries, which have incentives to use this discretion to their advantage. The current regulatory reporting standard is not sufficient to make a comprehensive assessment of the overall risks stemming from L2 and L3 instruments. We highlight that these instruments share some characteristics with NPLs (illiquidity, opacity), and argue that the risk they pose might also be comparable.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosario Roca & Francesco Potente & Luca Giulio Ciavoliello & Alessandro Conciarelli & Giovanni Diprizio & Lanfranco Lodi & Roberto Mosca & Tommaso Perez & Jacopo Raponi & Emiliano Sabatini & Antonio S, 2017. "Risks and challenges of complex financial isntruments: an analysis of SSM banks," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 417, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:opques:qef_417_17
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Huizinga, Harry & Laeven, Luc, 2012. "Bank valuation and accounting discretion during a financial crisis," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(3), pages 614-634.
    2. Hanley, Kathleen W. & Jagolinzer, Alan D. & Nikolova, Stanislava, 2018. "Strategic estimation of asset fair values," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 25-45.
    3. Matthew Plosser & João A. C. Santos, 2014. "Banks' incentives and the quality of internal risk models," Staff Reports 704, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    4. Taylor A. Begley & Amiyatosh Purnanandam & Kuncheng Zheng, 2017. "The Strategic Underreporting of Bank Risk," Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 30(10), pages 3376-3415.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Paolo Angelini, 2018. "Gli alti livelli di NPL indeboliscono la capacità delle banche di erogare credito?," Moneta e Credito, Economia civile, vol. 71(282), pages 129-138.
    2. Ignazio Visco, 2018. "Banche e finanza dopo la crisi: lezioni e sfide," Moneta e Credito, Economia civile, vol. 71(282), pages 95-118.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fair value accounting; level 2 instruments; L3 instruments; prudential regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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