The paper studies risk mitigation associated with capital regulation, in a context where banks may choose tail risk asserts. We show that this undermines the traditional result that high capital reduces excess risk-taking driven by limited liability. Moreover, higher capital may have an...

As the recent financial crisis unfolded, a new financial instrument - contingent convertible (coco) bonds - was widely considered as a mechanism for promptly recapitalizing overlevered financial institutions. Essentially, the conversion feature of coco bonds would replace supervisory discretion...

As the recent financial crisis unfolded, a new financial instrument -- contingent capital (“coco”) bonds -- was widely considered as a mechanism for promptly re-capitalizing over-levered financial institutions. Essentially, coco bonds would replace supervisory discretion about banks' capital...

The Basel framework has produced complex definitions of “adequate” capital, expressed in terms of book (accounting) ratios. However, solvency actually depends not on accounting ratios but on private investors' valuation of the firm's assets' and liabilities' market values. At large banking...

The paper studies risk mitigation associated with capital regulation, in a context where banks may choose tail risk assets. We show that this undermines the traditional result that higher capital reduces excess risk-taking driven by limited liability. Moreover, higher capital may have an...