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Loan loss provision models in Brazilian banks

Fernando Galdi (Department of Accounting and Finance, FUCAPE Business School, Vitória, Brazil)
André De Moura (Department of Accounting and Finance, FUCAPE Business School, Vitória, Brazil)
Robson França (Internal Audit, BNDES, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Meditari Accountancy Research

ISSN: 2049-372X

Article publication date: 29 January 2021

Issue publication date: 25 November 2021

356

Abstract

Purpose

This paper investigates which loan loss provision (LLP) model [International Accounting Standards39 (IAS39) based on incurred losses and Brazilian Central Bank Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) based on a mixed model] presents higher quality in terms of predictability, and which model is less susceptible to earnings management practices using LLP.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the difference between the explanatory power of the mixed model and incurred loss model in explaining the LLP, this paper runs a two-stage fixed-effect panel regression model to evaluate the association between LLP of each model and variables representatives of non-discretionary aspects related to the quality of the loan portfolio, business cycles and qualitative evidence indicated in each GAAP. Then, this paper tests the relationship between the errors generated in each regression and the discretion of bank managers and banks’ characteristics.

Findings

This paper finds that the mixed model results in higher R2 demonstrating that the number produced under this regime is more related to observable variables than the number produced under the incurred losses model. Further, this paper finds no evidence that there is a difference in earnings management between the two standards and this paper does not find that banks manage earnings through regulatory capital. Nevertheless, this paper finds that earnings management is higher in private than in listed banks.

Originality/value

This paper takes advantage of the unique feature of the Brazilian Central Bank regulation to investigate the impact of two different accounting standards on LLP in a perfect setting.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Fernando Galdi and André De Moura gratefully acknowledge research support from “Instituto FUCAPE de Tecnologias Sociais”. Fernando Galdi also gratefully acknowledges funding from the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

Citation

Galdi, F., De Moura, A. and França, R. (2021), "Loan loss provision models in Brazilian banks", Meditari Accountancy Research, Vol. 29 No. 6, pp. 1473-1491. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-04-2020-0851

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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