期刊名称:International Journal of Economics and Finance
印刷版ISSN:1916-971X
电子版ISSN:1916-9728
出版年度:2010
卷号:2
期号:4
页码:140
DOI:10.5539/ijef.v2n4p140
出版社:Canadian Center of Science and Education
摘要:Using a sample of 278 commercial banks operating in OECD countries, this paper shows that numerous banks smooth their earnings intentionally either by using loan loss provisions or by selling trading securities. These banks resort more to real income smoothing than to the artificial one. Results also indicate that the banks’ propensity to smooth reported earnings depends on their exposure to prudential and curative constraints and on various institutional constraints. The degree of capitalization, the composition of regulatory equity capital and the presence of insured creditors motivate banks to smooth their results. This study also highlights that Anglo-Saxon accounting systems seem to favour smoothing behaviour probably because they provide discretion in reporting transactions.