Dario Focarelli

Why do Banks Merge

The banking industry is consolidating at an accelerating pace, yet no conclusive results have emerged on the benefits of mergers and acquisitions. We analyze the Italian market, which is similar to other main European countries. By considering both acquisitions (i.e. the purchase of the majority of voting shares) and mergers we evidence the motives and results of each type of deal. Mergers are more likely between a more and a less services-oriented bank; they seek to improve income from services, but the resulting increase is offset by higher staff costs; return on equity improves because of changes in the capital structure. Acquisitions are more targeted towards banks with a poor credit management record; they aim to restructure the loan portfolio of the acquired bank; improved lending policies result in higher profits.

Are Mergers Beneficial to Consumers? Evidence from the Market for Bank Deposits

The general conclusion of the empirical literature is that in-market consolidation generates adverse price changes, thereby harming consumers. Previous studies, however, look only at the short-run pricing impact of consolidation, ignoring all effects that take a longer time to materialize. Using a database that includes detailed information on the deposit rate paid by individual banks in local markets to different categories of depositors, we investigate for the first time the long-run pricing effects of M&As. We find strong evidence that, although in the short run consolidation generates adverse price changes, these are only a temporary phenomenon. In the long run efficiency gains dominate over the market power effect of mergers, leading to more favorable prices for consumers.

The pricing effect of certification on syndicated loans

To verify if a delegated monitor can certify its ability to perform its assigned tasks, we test whether syndicated loans in which a larger share of the facility is retained by the arranger have lower interest rates. For a large sample of syndicated loans in over 80 countries we find that this certification effect exists and is greater for facilities characterized by greater due diligence and monitoring efforts. Further, for listed companies the announcement effect of the new loan on the stock price is an increasing function of the portions of the loan retained by the arranger.

Why Insurance Regulation Is Crucial for Long-Term Investment and Economic Growth

This paper focuses on the role of insurers as providers of funds for long-term investment in the real economy, with an examination of the European market. The thesis is that financial regulation, and prudential insurance regulation in particular, crucially affects insurers’ investment behavior and therefore their contribution to financial stability and economic growth, which for many reasons will be increasing in the near future. Accordingly, careful assessment of the effects of Solvency II on the insurance industry is required, bearing in mind the regulatory review planned for 2018.