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Restoring Trust in Finance: From Principal–Agent to Principled Agent

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  • Gordon Menzies
  • Donald Hay
  • Thomas Simpson
  • David Vines

Abstract

Banking solves the principal–agent problem with incentive contracts which assume a Homo Economicus representative agent. However, professions can solve the principal–agent problem by assuming a ‘Reasonable Person’ representative agent, from tort law, who reliably tells the truth about hidden action. We describe a non‐virtuous circle in finance, which is a negative feedback loop between motivation crowding out arising from incentive contracts, and the subsequent need to offer incentive contacts because agents change from the Reasonable Person to Homo Economicus. We prescribe less reliance on incentive contracts in the practice of finance, and on Homo Economicus in the theory of finance.

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon Menzies & Donald Hay & Thomas Simpson & David Vines, 2019. "Restoring Trust in Finance: From Principal–Agent to Principled Agent," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 95(311), pages 497-509, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecorec:v:95:y:2019:i:311:p:497-509
    DOI: 10.1111/1475-4932.12494
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    Cited by:

    1. Aaron Bruhn & Anthony Asher, 2021. "The primacy of ethics in the provision of financial advice," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(2), pages 3305-3327, June.

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    More about this item

    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
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy

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