The role of capital in financial institutions

Abstract

This introductory article examines the role of capital in financial institutions — why it is important, how market-generated capital ‘requiremenents’ differ from regulatory requirments and the form that regulatory requirements should take. Along the way, we examine historical trends in bank capital, problems in measuring capital, and some possible unintended consequences of capital requirements. Within this framework, we evaluate how the contributions to this special issue advance the literature and suggest topics for future research.