Crisis financiera y regulación de la solvencia bancaria

Una revisión crítica sobre los acuerdos de Basilea

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, to present the main guidelines and evolution of banking regulation in recent times, with special attention to the proposals of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision as regards the capital adequacy of credit institutions. On the other hand, to provide a discussion and critical analysis about such proposals, highlighting their limitations and impacts on development of the Great Recession initiated in 2007, without forgetting to make a brief review of the last measures adopted by that Committee in December 2010. Banking regulations remain important in ensuring financial stability; even they seem more necessary than ever, because of the higher or new risks arising from excessive debt, volatility and innovations. Specifically, prudential supervision through control of capital adequacy may help bolster bank solvency. However, the methods used to assess and hedge risks show a striking fragility. The recommendations of that Committee are extensive and complex in their technical details, raising many questions. Should we go a little further on of them?