Does Bank Capital Still Matter? Rethinking Regulation for Growth and Stability
A hybrid event bringing together leading policy makers and academics to discuss the future of prudential regulation
Adam Smith Business School
Date: Monday 18 May 2026
Time: 16:00 - 17:00
Venue: Harvard Teaching Space, Room 669, Level 6, Adam Smith Building, 2 Discovery Place, Glasgow, G11 6EY
Category: Academic events, Staff workshops and seminars
Speaker: Dr Nathanael Benjamin, Executive Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk, FPC member, Bank of England; Professor Duc Duy (Louis) Nguyen, Du
Monday 18 May 2026
16:00pm - 17:00pm (hybrid with zoom link sent on registration)
Harvard Teaching Space, Room 669, Level 6, Adam Smith Building, 2 Discovery Place, Glasgow, G11 6EY
In the years since the global financial crisis, higher bank capital has been central to strengthening financial stability. More recently, however, policymakers in the UK and internationally have begun to reassess how capital requirements are calibrated, with increasing attention to their impact on economic activity and financial intermediation.This shift raises an important question: is the key issue how much capital banks hold, or how effectively that capital is used? A growing body of research suggests that stronger capital positions do not automatically translate into increased lending. Instead, outcomes depend critically on how banks adjust their behaviour in response to regulatory changes. Against the backdrop of recent policy developments, including the Bank of England’s recalibration of capital requirements in December 2025, this event brings together leading policymakers and academics to discuss the future of prudential regulation. The panel will explore whether current reforms can enhance the effective use of bank capital, support economic growth, and maintain financial stability in an increasingly uncertain environment.
Speakers:
• Dr Nathanael Benjamin, Executive Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk, FPC member, Bank of England
• Professor Duc Duy (Louis) Nguyen, Durham University Business School, Durham University
Moderator:
• Professor Mario Cerrato, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow
Organising Committee:
Professor Mario Cerrato; Dr Mengqian Chen; Dr Sizhe Hong; Dr Miguel Colburn Herculano; Dr Jonathan Lee; Dr Xinyu Li; Dr Diana Morales Arenas; Dr Jiaxin Wu
Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow
Format and Participation:
• Panel discussion
• Audience Q&A
• Coffee and drinks reception following the event
Audience:
This event is aimed at policymakers, financial market practitioners, academics, and students with an interest in government bond markets, market structure, and monetary policy.
The event is free to attend.