The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic exposes Asian banks’ vulnerability to U.S. dollar funding risks. A sudden squeeze in U.S. dollar funding liquidity associated with unwinding of carry trades by non-US global banks can quickly spill over to emerging market borrowers, as evidenced during the global financial crisis (GFC). Over the past decade, cross-border bank lending denominated dominantly in U.S. dollar has increased across emerging Asian economies, heightening the exposure to global U.S. dollar funding markets. The crisis offers an opportunity for Asia and the world to regain momentum to reform their financial systems and address the underlying vulnerabilities.

This webinar featured a high-level panel of experts who examined the vulnerabilities accompanying the region’s continued growth in cross-border banking activities and explore policy options, including further strengthening of regional financial safety net arrangements, to ensure regional financial stability and resilience moving forward.

(Part 4 of the Asian Impact: ADB Research in Action webinar series)