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Floods and financial stability: Scenario-based evidence from below sea level

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco G. Caloia

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Kees van Ginkel

    (Deltares Delft)

  • David-Jan Jansen

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Abstract

We study whether floods can affect financial stability through a credit risk channel. Our focus is on the Netherlands, a country situated partly below sea level, where insurance policies exclude property damages caused by some types of floods. Using geocoded data for close to EUR 650 billion in real estate exposures, we consider possible implications of such floods for bank capital. For a set of 38 adverse scenarios, we estimate that flood-related property damages lead to capital declines that mostly range between 30 and 50 basis points. We highlight how starting-point loan-to-value ratios are one important driver of capital impacts. Our estimates focus on property damages as the main transmission channel and are also subject to a number of assumptions. If climate change continues, more frequent floods or flood-related macrofinancial disruptions may have stronger implications for financial stability than our estimates so far indicate.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco G. Caloia & Kees van Ginkel & David-Jan Jansen, 2023. "Floods and financial stability: Scenario-based evidence from below sea level," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 23-083/IV, Tinbergen Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:tin:wpaper:20230083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dorien de Leeuw & David-Jan Jansen, 2026. "Floods and homeowners' financial resilience: Survey-based evidence from the Netherlands," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 26-029/IV, Tinbergen Institute.
    2. Etienne de l’Estoile & Lisa Kerdelhué & Thierry Verdier, 2025. "Container or Content: from Flood Hazards on Firms’ Physical Assets to Credit Risks," Working papers 1022, Banque de France.
    3. Di Febo, Elisa & Angelini, Eliana & Le, Tu, 2026. "Climate-related risks and loan quality in Europe: Do institutional quality, environmental commitment, and bank size matter?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Dorien de Leeuw & David-Jan Jansen, 2025. "Floods and homeowners’ financial resilience: Survey-based evidence from the Netherlands," Working Papers 845, DNB.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General

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