DP12009 Bank sectoral concentration and (systemic) risk: Evidence from a worldwide sample of banks
We propose a new stock return-based methodology to measure three dimensions of banks' sectoral concentration (specialization, differentiation, fi nancial sector exposure). Using these measures for a broad cross-section of banks and countries between 2002 and 2012, we estimate both the short- and long-run relationship between banks' secttoral concentration and banks' performance and stability. We find that bank volatility
and systemic risk exposure decrease with banks' sectoral specialization and increase with banks' sectoral differentiation and financial sector exposure. These effects are significantly stronger in the long-run. Moreover, there exists important time and cross- country variation, with effects generally stronger during systemic stress periods.
