Financial Connections and Systemic Risk

43 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2010 Last revised: 16 Mar 2023

See all articles by Franklin Allen

Franklin Allen

Imperial College London

Ana Babus

Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Economics

Elena Carletti

Bocconi University - Department of Finance; European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS)

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: July 2010

Abstract

We develop a model where institutions form connections through swaps of projects in order to diversify their individual risk. These connections lead to two different network structures. In a clustered network groups of financial institutions hold identical portfolios and default together. In an unclustered network defaults are more dispersed. With long term finance welfare is the same in both networks. In contrast, when short term finance is used, the network structure matters. Upon the arrival of a signal about banks' future defaults, investors update their expectations of bank solvency. If their expectations are low, they do not roll over the debt and there is systemic risk in that all institutions are early liquidated. We compare investors' rollover decisions and welfare in the two networks.

Suggested Citation

Allen, Franklin and Babus, Ana and Carletti, Elena, Financial Connections and Systemic Risk (July 2010). NBER Working Paper No. w16177, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1636646

Franklin Allen (Contact Author)

Imperial College London ( email )

South Kensington Campus
Exhibition Road
London, Greater London SW7 2AZ
United Kingdom

Ana Babus

Washington University in St. Louis - Department of Economics ( email )

One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
United States

Elena Carletti

Bocconi University - Department of Finance ( email )

Via Roentgen 1
Milano, MI 20136
Italy

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) ( email )

Villa La Fonte, via delle Fontanelle 18
50016 San Domenico di Fiesole
Florence, Florence 50014
Italy

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
104
Abstract Views
1,291
Rank
90,404
PlumX Metrics