Big global banks continue to fudge the numbers that regulators use to judge banks’ soundness, says Richard J. Herring, Wharton finance professor. In this Knowledge at Wharton interview, Herring notes that the numbers used for many key capital measurements are “obscure” rather than “transparent,” which makes the whole stress-test process unreliable and “subject to manipulation.” It also makes it impossible to compare one bank’s soundness relative to another bank. Herring is a co-chair of the Shadow Financial Regulatory Committee, an unofficial group of former regulators, lawyers and academics who review ideas for new regulations and other financial proposals.

For more from this interview with professor Herring, see:

Big Banks Keep Watering Down Global Reserve Rules

The Global Bank Regulatory System Remains Crippled

Comments

New This Week

The Business of Signing a Superstar Athlete
Podcast

The Business of Signing a Superstar Athlete

October 16, 2026 • 13 min listen

Kenneth Shropshire, professor emeritus of legal studies and business ethics at the Wharton School, explores the expectations, business opportunities, and community impact that come with signing a superstar athlete like LeBron James.

Why Gen Z Is Choosing Sports Betting Over Retirement Savings
Podcast

Why Gen Z Is Choosing Sports Betting Over Retirement Savings

October 14, 2026 • 13 min listen

Michael Platt, professor of marketing, psychology, and neuroscience at the Wharton School, explains why sports betting is capturing young people’s attention and what it means for their financial futures.

The Analytics Behind Baseball’s Small-Market Success
Podcast

The Analytics Behind Baseball’s Small-Market Success

October 14, 2026 • 53 min listen

Mike Petriello, Major League Baseball’s director of stats and research, explains the swing data, player development, and matchup decisions changing how teams compete.