We investigate the accuracy of the Z-score, a widely used proxy of bank soundness, on a sample of European banks from 12 countries over the period 2001–2011. Specifically, we run a horse race analysis between the Z-score and the CAMELS related covariates. Using probit and complementary log–logmodels, we find that the Z-score's ability to identify distress events, both in the whole period and during the crisis years (2008–2011), is at least as good as the CAMELS variables, but with the advantage of being less data demanding. Finally, the Z-score proves to be more effectivewhen bank businessmodelsmay be more sophisticated as it is the case for large and commercial banks.
Chiaramonte, L., Croci, E., Poli, F., Should we trust the Z-score? Evidence from theEuropean Banking Industry, <<GLOBAL FINANCE JOURNAL>>, 2015; (28): 111-131. [doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gfj.2015.02.002] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/69434]
Should we trust the Z-score? Evidence from the European Banking Industry
Chiaramonte, Laura;Croci, Ettore;Poli, Federica
2015
Abstract
We investigate the accuracy of the Z-score, a widely used proxy of bank soundness, on a sample of European banks from 12 countries over the period 2001–2011. Specifically, we run a horse race analysis between the Z-score and the CAMELS related covariates. Using probit and complementary log–logmodels, we find that the Z-score's ability to identify distress events, both in the whole period and during the crisis years (2008–2011), is at least as good as the CAMELS variables, but with the advantage of being less data demanding. Finally, the Z-score proves to be more effectivewhen bank businessmodelsmay be more sophisticated as it is the case for large and commercial banks.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.