On the optimality of bank competition policy

This study examines whether the effect of market structure on financial stability is persistent, subject to current regulation and supervision policies. The methodology of Sala-I-Martin (1997) is employed over a sample of 2450 banks operating within the EU-27 during the period 2003-2010. The results show a potential trade-off between market power and soundness, and how possible it is to regulate this trade-off above 21% markups. Financial stability appears more pronounced in markets of less concentration, where policies lean towards limited restrictions on non-interest income, official intervention in bank management and book transparency. Regulation and competition can act as substitute or complementary policies vis-à-vis a more stable financial system with less competition distortions.