Publications:
Bank Failure: Evidence from the Colombian Financial Crisis

by Jose E. Gomez-Gonzalez and Nicholas M. Kiefer

Abstract:  Bank-specific determinants of bank failure during the financial crisis in Colombia are identified and studied using duration analysis. The process of failure of banks and related financial institutions during that period can be explained by differences in financial health and prudence across institutions. The capitalization ratio is the most significant indicator explaining bank failure. Increases in this ratio lead to a reduction in the hazard rate of failure at any given moment in time. This ratio exhibits a non-linear component. At lower levels of capitalization small differences in capitalization are associated with larger differences in failure rates. Our results thus provide empirical support for existing regulatory practice. Other important variables explaining bank failure dynamics are the bank's size and profitability.

Disclaimer

Any whole or partial reproduction of material in this paper should include the following citation: Jose E. Gomez-Gonzalez and Nicholas M. Kiefer "Bank failure: Evidence from the Colombian financial crisis," Cornell University; Banco de la República, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; Working Paper 2007-2, March 15, 2007

Availability

This Economics Working Paper (PDF) is available for viewing in Adobe's PDF format. The PDF viewer is available for download free from Adobe in versions for different platforms.

The complete paper also is available in hard copy from the OCC's Communications Division. If you would like to receive a paper copy of an Economics Working Paper through the U.S. Postal Service:

• Write to the Communications Division, Mail Stop 2-3, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, DC 20219, or
• Send an e-mail request to the Communications Division at publications@occ.treas.gov.

Be sure to identify the paper(s) you want and to include your complete mailing address, including ZIP code.