Global Financial Crisis: Exploring the Special Role of U.S. Banks and Regulations

Abstract

Financial markets have suffered the greatest dislocation following the truly seismic significance of the global financial crisis. Regulators argue that the banking sector played a particularly special role in triggering the causes of the subprime debacle, thereby leading to the occurrence of the global financial crisis. Banks previously functioned as only a financial intermediary, but certain developments in the international banking sector like deregulation, technological progress, consolidation and competition, securitisation and financial innovation, resulted in banks being involved in subprime lending activities and hence, a reason behind the financial turmoil. The aim of this paper is to scrutinise the special role of banks in the global financial crisis and to stress on the need for increased regulation and their implications on the banking sector. The current study will thus contribute to the examination of the salient features of the global financial crisis and provide regulatory suggestions for the banking sector and the government as a whole.

Keywords: Global Financial Crisis, Subprime Mortgages, Securitisation, Banking Sector, Bank Regulations, Basel III

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