Identifying systemically important financial institutions in Turkey

Abstract

This paper examines the systemic risk of financial firms in Turkey. Using Component Expected Shortfall, we provide estimates of systemic risk in Turkey using daily data from 2005 to 2018 and a comprehensive data set encompassing 54 financial firms. Empirical results show that the preponderance of systemic risk in the sample in Turkey is due to large commercial banks. Top ten systemically important financial institutions dominate systemic risk measures in Turkey and account for more than 90 % of total risk over the sample. Consequently, the risk in the Turkish financial system is concentrated in specific financial institutions and makes close monitoring of the top firms essential. Historical incidence of systemic risk in the sample shows elevated levels of systemic risk correspond to well-known external events. Finally, a bivariate VAR model shows that systemic risk is correlated with measures of global financial risks and has significant negative effects on the real economy particularly on industrial production. This is important from a financial stability point of view in that close monitoring of the systemic risk is important in maintaining a healthy financial system and a well- functioning market economy.