scholarly journals Smart contracts: will Fintech be the catalyst for the next global financial crisis?

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall E. Duran ◽  
Paul Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Design Management ◽  
Smart Contracts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bilateral Agreements ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

Purpose This paper aims to examine the risks associated with smart contracts, a disruptive financial technology (FinTech) innovation, and assesses how in the future they could threaten the integrity of the global financial system. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach is used to identify risk factors related to the use of new financial innovations, by examining how over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives contributed to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) which occurred during 2007 and 2008. Based on this analysis, the potential for similar concerns with smart contracts are evaluated, drawing on the failure of The DAO on the Ethereum blockchain, which involved the loss of over $60m of digital currency. Findings Extensive use of bilateral agreements, complexity and lack of standardization, lack of transparency, misuse and speed of contagion were factors that contributed to the GFC that could also become material concerns for smart contract technology as its adoption grows. These concerns, combined with other contextual factors, such as the risk of defects in smart contracts and cyberattacks, could lead to potential destabilization of the broader financial system. Practical implications The paper’s findings provide insights to help make the design, management and monitoring of smart contract technology more robust. They also provide guidance for key stakeholders on proactive steps that can be taken with smart contract technology to avoid repeating the types of oversights that contributed to the GFC. Originality/value This paper draws attention to the risks associated with the adoption of disruptive FinTech. It also suggests steps that regulators and other key stakeholders can take to help mitigate those risks.

The Global Financial Crisis: what have we learned so far?

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karyn L. Neuhauser
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Financial Assets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Number Of Citations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a cohesive review of the major findings in the literature concerning the Global Financial Crisis. Design/methodology/approach – Papers published in top-rated finance and economics journal since the crisis up to the present were reviewed. A large number of these were selected for inclusion, primarily based on the number of citations they had received adjusted for the amount of time elapsed since their publication, but also partly based on how well they fit in with the narrative. Findings – Much has been done to investigate the causes of the Global Financial Crisis, its effects on various aspects of the financial system, and the effectiveness of regulatory measures undertaken to restore the financial system. While more remains to be done, the existing body of research paints an interesting picture of what happened and why it happened, describes the interrelationships between the mortgage markets and financial markets created by the large scale securitization of financial assets, identifies the problems created by these inter-linkages and offers possible solutions, and assesses the effectiveness of the regulatory response to the crisis. Originality/value – This study summarizes a vast amount of literature using a framework that allows the reader to quickly absorb a large amount of information as well as identify specific works that they may wish to examine more closely. By providing a picture of what has been done, it may also assist the reader in identifying areas that should be the subject of future research.

Empirical evidence of risk shifting in bonds and debt-based sukuk

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 687-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Raihana Hamzah ◽  
Obiyathulla Ismath Bacha ◽  
Abbas Mirakhor ◽  
Nurhafiza Abdul Kader Malim
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Distinct Advantage ◽  
Risk Shifting ◽  
Accounting Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operating Risk ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of risk shifting behavior in bonds and sukuk. The examination is significant, as economists and scholars identify risk shifting as the primary cause of the global financial crisis. Yet, the dangers of this debt-financing feature are largely ignored – one needs to only witness the record growth of global debt even after the global financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach To identify the signs of risk shifting existence in the corporations, this paper compares each corporation’s operating risk before and after issuing debt. Operating risk or risk of a firm’s activities is measured using the volatility of the operating earnings or coefficient variation of earning before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). Using EBITDA as the variable offers one distinct advantage to using asset volatility as previous research has – EBITDA can be extracted directly from firms’ accounting data and is not model-specific. Findings Risk shifting can be found in not only the bond system but also the debt-based sukuk system – a noteworthy finding because sukuk, supposedly in a different class from bonds, have been criticized in some quarters for their apparent similarity to bonds. On the other hand, this study thus shows that equity feature, when it is embedded in bonds (as in convertible bonds) or when a financial instrument is based purely on equity (as in equity-based sukuk), the incentive to shift the risk can be mitigated. Research limitations/implications Global awareness of the dangers of debt should be increased as a means of reducing the amount of debt outstanding globally. Although some regulators suggest that sukuk replace debt, they must also be aware that imitative sukuk pose the same threat to efforts to avoid debt. In short, efforts to ensure future financial stability cannot address only debts or bonds but must also address those types of sukuk that mirror bonds in their operation. In the wake of the global financial crisis, amid the frantic search for ways of protecting against future financial shocks, this analysis aims to help create future stability by encouraging market players to avoid debt-based activities. Originality/value This paper differs from the previous literature in two important ways, viewing risk shifting behavior not only in relation to debt or bonds but also when set against debt-based sukuk, which has been subjected to similar criticism. Indeed, to the extent that debts and bonds encourage risk shifting behavior and threaten the entire financial system, so, too, can imitation sukuk or debt-based sukuk. Second, this paper is unique in exploring the ability of equity features to curb equity holders’ incentive to engage in risk shifting behavior. Such an examination is necessary for the wake of the global financial crisis, for researchers and economists now agree that risk shifting must be a controlled behavior – and that one way of controlling risk shifting is by implementing the risk sharing feature of equity-based financing into the financial system.

The global financial crisis and Islamic finance: a review of selected literature

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdou DIAW
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Risk Sharing ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Islamic Finance ◽  
Regulatory Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis ◽  
The Way

Purpose – This paper aims to critically analyze the opinions of Islamic economists about the global financial crisis to examine: their views on the causes of the crisis, the juristic and economic assessment they make of these causes and the lessons learned and the way forward. Design/methodology/approach – The paper critically reviews selected writings of prominent Islamic economics on the recent financial crisis. Findings – Most of the authors reviewed acknowledged the technical mistakes put forth by many conventional analysts as causes of the crisis. However, they have showed that the adoption of the principles of Islamic finance would have prevented most of those mistakes. The way forward, therefore, for both Islamic and conventional finance is, inter alia, greater reliance on risk sharing to inject more discipline in the system; the establishment of a strong and comprehensive regulatory body to safeguard the resilience of the system; and the integration of Zakat, Awqaf and other voluntary institutions into the financial system to cater for the financial needs of the poor. Practical implications – The importance of integrating the voluntary institutions into the financial system is to make it more inclusive and more equitable. Originality/value – This paper is the most comprehensive literature review on Islamic finance and the global financial crisis.

Financial distress determinants among SMEs: empirical evidence from Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darush Yazdanfar ◽  
Peter Öhman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically investigate determinants of financial distress among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the global financial crisis and post-crisis periods.Design/methodology/approachSeveral statistical methods, including multiple binary logistic regression, were used to analyse a longitudinal cross-sectional panel data set of 3,865 Swedish SMEs operating in five industries over the 2008–2015 period.FindingsThe results suggest that financial distress is influenced by macroeconomic conditions (i.e. the global financial crisis) and, in particular, by various firm-specific characteristics (i.e. performance, financial leverage and financial distress in previous year). However, firm size and industry affiliation have no significant relationship with financial distress.Research limitationsDue to data availability, this study is limited to a sample of Swedish SMEs in five industries covering eight years. Further research could examine the generalizability of these findings by investigating other firms operating in other industries and other countries.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine determinants of financial distress among SMEs operating in Sweden using data from a large-scale longitudinal cross-sectional database.

Global financial crisis, ownership structure and firm financial performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Salman Saleh ◽  
Enver Halili ◽  
Rami Zeitun ◽  
Ruhul Salim
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Ownership Concentration ◽  
Financial Leverage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Crisis Period ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the financial performance of listed firms on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) over two sample periods (1998-2007 and 2008-2010) before and during the global financial crisis periods. Design/methodology/approach The generalized method of moments (GMM) has been used to examine the relationship between family ownership and a firm’s performance during the financial crisis period, reflecting on the higher risk exposure associated with capital markets. Findings Applying firm-based measures of financial performance (ROA and ROE), the empirical results show that family firms with ownership concentration performed better than nonfamily firms with dispersed ownership structures. The results also show that ownership concentration has a positive and significant impact on family- and nonfamily-owned firms during the crisis period. In addition, financial leverage had a positive and significant effect on the performance of Australian family-owned firms during both periods. However, if the impact of the crisis by sector is taking into account, the financial leverage only becomes significant for the nonmining family firms during the pre-crisis period. The results also reveal that family businesses are risk-averse business organizations. These findings are consistent with the underlying economic theories. Originality/value This paper contributes to the debate whether the ownership structure affects firms’ financial performance such as ROE and ROA during the global financial crisis by investigating family and nonfamily firms listed on the Australian capital market. It also identifies several influential drivers of financial performance in both normal and crisis periods. Given the paucity of studies in the area of family business, the empirical results of this research provide useful information for researchers, practitioners and investors, who are operating in capital markets for family and nonfamily businesses.

scholarly journals Islamic Banking: The Firewall Against The Global Financial Crisis

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohana Othman ◽  
Nooraslinda Abdul Aris ◽  
Rafidah Mohd Azli ◽  
Roshayani Arshad
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Free Market ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Capitalist System ◽  
Islamic Economic ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Transactions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Fundamental Values

The global financial crisis that devastated many of the worlds financial systems in a manner never seen before exposed the glaring weakness in risk management and interest-driven policies. The crisis brought the collapse of several iconic financial institutions once perceived to be too strong to capitulate. The crisis engulfed one economy after another from corporations to eventually bring about the collapse of governments of countries reeling from the impact of the crisis. Asset values plummeted and the crisis clearly demonstrated the fragility of the western capitalist system and the free market economy. The Islamic economic and financial system is anchored on universal honorable values, ideals and morals - honesty, credibility, transparency, co-operation and solidarity. These fundamental values uphold stability, security and safety in any financial transactions. Of paramount consideration is that the Shariah prohibits any economic and financial transactions that involve usury, lying, gambling, cheating, unsubstantiated risk or uncertainty (gharar), monopoly, exploitation, greed, unfairness and taking other peoples money unjustly. Another key aspect to the philosophy behind the Islamic financial system is money issued must be fully asset backed. It is impermissible to allow money to be traded for money except at par. Islam is not just the prohibition of riba and zakah (alms); it is a comprehensive system to fulfill societys basic necessities (food, clothing and shelter). History has demonstrated that Islam has the capacity to deliver and has succeeded in providing a viable economic system.

scholarly journals Deposit flows and structure in Serbia

Bankarstvo ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 68-87
Author(s):  
Milena Lazić ◽  
Ksenija Zorčić
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Banking Regulation ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Deposit Guarantee Schemes

Having drawn attention to the existing banking regulation issues, the Global Financial Crisis also raised awareness of the importance of depositors' confidence for the stability of the financial system, and brought the role and significance of the deposit guarantee schemes to the fore. Serbian economy started experiencing its effects in Q4 2008, in parallel with the global spreading of the crisis. This paper focuses on the fluctuations in deposit levels and structure in the Serbian banking system, between 2008 and 2019. It also aims to underscore the importance and development perspectives of the Serbian deposit guarantee scheme.

scholarly journals Would Macroprudential Regulation Have Prevented the Last Crisis?

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Aikman ◽  
Jonathan Bridges ◽  
Anil Kashyap ◽  
Caspar Siegert
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Mortgage Lending ◽  
Financial Policy ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
The Us ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

How well equipped are today’s macroprudential regimes to deal with a rerun of the factors that led to the global financial crisis? To address the factors that made the last crisis so severe, a macroprudential regulator would need to implement policies to tackle vulnerabilities from financial system leverage, fragile funding structures, and the build-up in household indebtedness. We specify and calibrate a package of policy interventions to address these vulnerabilities—policies that include implementing the countercyclical capital buffer, requiring that banks extend the maturity of their funding, and restricting mortgage lending at high loan-to-income multiples. We then assess how well placed are two prominent macroprudential regulators, set up since the crisis, to implement such a package. The US Financial Stability Oversight Council has not been designed to implement such measures and would therefore make little difference were we to experience a rerun of the factors that preceded the last crisis. A macroprudential regulator modeled on the UK’s Financial Policy Committee stands a better chance because it has many of the necessary powers. But it too would face challenges associated with spotting build-ups in risk with sufficient prescience, acting sufficiently aggressively, and maintaining political backing for its actions.

Shadow prices of non-performing loans and the global financial crisis

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 411-434
Author(s):  
Ameni Tarchouna ◽  
Bilel Jarraya ◽  
Abdelfettah Bouri
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Shadow Price ◽  
Market Price ◽  
Shadow Prices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Bad Loans ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

Purpose This paper aims to determine the opportunity cost borne by US commercial banks to reduce non-performing loans (NPLs) by one unit within the global financial crisis framework. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this aim, the authors use the directional output distance function to estimate the technical efficiency while considering NPLs as undesirable output. Then, they estimate the shadow prices of NPLs by using the envelope theorem and solving the revenue function. Findings The results indicate that medium-sized banks are the most efficient, while small banks are the most inefficient ones. Moreover, the shadow prices of NPLs of large banks are higher than those of small and medium-sized banks. This implies a more elevated cost when lessening bad loans in large banks. This is more prominent during the crisis given that the shadow prices of NPLs of large banks have risen sharply over that period. Practical implications Shadow prices have important managerial implications given that they display the amounts of required reduced revenues to lessen NPLs. Accordingly, banks’ managers are called to reduce these loans by paying more attention when choosing their customers. Originality/value With the absence of an observable market price for bad loans in financial literature, the shadow price notion offers an adequate measure to evaluate them. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that provides an estimation of the shadow price of NPLs in the US banking sector.

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