Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/91736 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Policy Paper No. 2
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
The key dynamics of the transatlantic banking crisis are analyzed – with emphasis on the fact that the banking disaster of 2007/08 was not really a surprise –, and the five key requirements for restoring stability and efficiency in the EU/OECD banking sector are highlighted. Most important, however, is the introduction of a new tax regime designed to encourage bankers to take a more long term time horizon in decision-making and to reduce excessive risk-taking. Banks and funds should be taxed not only on the basis of profits but also on the basis of the variability – read variance – of the rate of return on equity: the higher the variability over time the higher the tax to be paid. The quality and comprehensiveness of banks’ balance sheets must be radically improved and all off-balance sheet activities must be included in future total balance sheets. The medium term structure of employment in terms of the breakdown nontradables/tradables will have to adjust.
Subjects: 
banking
financial market reforms
EU
globalization
USA
JEL: 
E50
F01
F30
G01
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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