Banking regulation: An analysis of its dynamics brought about by the 10th anniversary of the global financial crises

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the dynamics of financial regulation – mainly banking regulation – on an international level. It takes the 10th anniversary of the Global Financial Crises as an opportunity for this reflection. To do that, the first step is a conceptual analysis of banks, banking systems, risks, and regulation, pointing out that the swings on regulation have to be understood in a broader context, which takes into consideration the different stages of capitalism. Following that, the paper tries to assess the impacts of the GFC on banking regulation. That said, one can notice that regulation moves like a pendulum, swinging from a more pro-market framework to another in which the regulation imposes more barriers to the functioning of banks. Besides, the paper points out that, no matter from where you depart in terms of a more or less pro market regulation, competition among banks will pressure the regulatory framework, leading to a less regulated and more fragile environment.