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

How Liquid Death Builds Marketing That Wins the Internet
Podcast

How Liquid Death Builds Marketing That Wins the Internet

June 18, 202631 min listen

Greg Fass on creating marketing people actually want to share.

SpaceX’s Historic IPO and the Future of Space
Podcast

SpaceX’s Historic IPO and the Future of Space

June 17, 202613 min listen

Wharton management professor examines SpaceX’s landmark IPO, its unprecedented valuation, and the broader implications for the future of the commercial space industry.

What Unexpected Champions Teach Us About Sports
Podcast

What Unexpected Champions Teach Us About Sports

June 17, 202651 min listen

Leading sports data journalist explores how analytics, team chemistry, and randomness shaped recent championship runs and major international tournaments.