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Regulatory Arbitrage and International Bank Flows

Author

Listed:
  • Joel F. Houston

    (University of Florida)

  • Chen Lin

    (The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research)

  • Yue Ma

    (Lingnan University and Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research)

Abstract

We study whether cross-country differences in regulations have affected international bank flows. We find strong evidence that banks have transferred funds to markets with fewer regulations. This form of regulatory arbitrage suggests there may be a destructive "race to the bottom" in global regulations which restricts domestic regulators' ability to limit bank risk-taking. However, we also find that the links between regulation differences and bank flows are significantly stronger if the recipient country is a developed country with strong property rights and creditor rights. This suggests that while differences in regulations have important influences, that without a strong institutional environment, lax regulations are not enough to encourage massive capital flows.

Suggested Citation

  • Joel F. Houston & Chen Lin & Yue Ma, 2012. "Regulatory Arbitrage and International Bank Flows," Working Papers 152012, Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:hkm:wpaper:152012
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