IMF's banking tax could backfire
Oxford University experts say global bank tax could backfire because institutions may take bigger risks in the knowledge there is a pot available for bailouts
Academics have warned IMF recommendations to establish a bailout pot by
taxing banks may backfire.
Tax experts from the Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation said
financial institutions were more likely to take bigger risks if there was a
financial safety net in place.
In addition to a tax on profits and remuneration, banks would also pay a
Financial Stability Contribution, a flat fee on their non-insured liabilities if
IMF recommendations are pushed through.
“The IMF sees [the FSC] as a form of insurance premium, with the premium
(that is, the tax) paid being available to governments to create a fund for
future financial sector bailouts,” the academics said in a briefing note.
“If bank managers, owners, or creditors believe that they are insured against
future failure due to excessive risk-taking, then they are more likely to
undertake riskier behaviour. That would exacerbate the likelihood of a future
financial crisis.”
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