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Leverage and the cost of capital for U.S. banks

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  • Clark, Brian
  • Jones, Jonathan
  • Malmquist, David

Abstract

We examine the relationship between leverage (the assets-to-equity ratio) and the weighted-average cost of capital (WACC) for an unbalanced panel of U.S. bank holding companies (BHCs) over the period spanning 1996 through 2019. We assess the extent to which changes in capital requirements affect the WACCs of these institutions and find significant differences across three, mutually exclusive asset-size classes of BHCs. In particular, the WACCs of small and medium-sized BHCs are found to be more sensitive to changes in capital requirements than the WACCs of large BHCs. For a hypothetical doubling of Tier-1 capital, we find that the largest BHCs saw their WACCs increase by 42 basis points, while the WACCS of small and medium-sized BHCs are estimated to have increased by 62 and 76 basis points, respectively. We attribute differences between these results to differences in the strength and scope of government guarantees and in the composition of BHCs’ assets and liabilities as reported on their balance sheets.

Suggested Citation

  • Clark, Brian & Jones, Jonathan & Malmquist, David, 2023. "Leverage and the cost of capital for U.S. banks," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:155:y:2023:i:c:s0378426623001930
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2023.107002
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    2. Buchholz, Manuel & Löffler, Axel & Sigel, Patrick, 2025. "Do capital requirements and their international differences affect banks' profitability?," Discussion Papers 31/2025, Deutsche Bundesbank.

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    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • 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

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