As the 2008-2009 Financial Crisis Unfolded, One Major U

question 105

Essay

As the 2008-2009 financial crisis unfolded, one major U.S. bank had a leverage ratio of 54. In Canada regulators put a ceiling on bank leverage ratios of 20. Compare the change in asset values that would push the capital in the U.S. bank to zero with the change required to eliminate capital in a Canadian bank at the ceiling-leverage ratio. What is the implication of the differences in maximum leverage ratios for the stability of the banking system?

---

Definitions:

Loan

A sum of money that is borrowed, typically from a financial institution, which is expected to be paid back with interest.

Lease

A contractual agreement in which one party (the lessor) allows another (the lessee) to use an asset for a specified period of time in exchange for payment or some other consideration.

Lessor

A lessor is a person or entity who leases or rents property to another, known as the lessee.

Tenant

An individual who rents or leases a space, such as an apartment or office, from a landlord.