
Financial Risk Manager Part 2
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In a scenario where repo creditors have an equal level of concern about the solvency of each bank, which financial institution would be most susceptible to encountering a liquidity crisis?
In a scenario where repo creditors have an equal level of concern about the solvency of each bank, which financial institution would be most susceptible to encountering a liquidity crisis?
Explanation:
The correct answer is D, Bank S. This is because a liquidity crisis can occur if repo creditors become concerned about a bank's solvency and decide not to renew their positions. If a significant number of creditors choose not to renew, the bank may be unable to raise enough cash quickly through other means, leading to a crisis. In such a scenario, the bank might have to sell its assets hastily to buyers who are aware of the bank's urgent need to sell, potentially resulting in a fire sale. This situation can further depress the market value of securities that have not been sold, reducing the amount of cash that can be raised through repurchase agreements collateralized by those securities.
The vulnerability to a liquidity crisis is directly related to the proportion of a bank's assets that are pledged as collateral. Among the four banks listed, Bank S has the highest percentage of its assets pledged as collateral (63%), indicating that it is most reliant on short-term repo financing. This high dependence on short-term financing makes Bank S the most vulnerable to a liquidity crisis, as it would have the most difficulty raising cash quickly if repo creditors were to become nervous and refuse to renew their positions.