Internal versus external capital markets and risk-taking

We examine the effects of internal capital transfer and external capital issuance on asset risktaking using a database containing detailed information on capital. Consistent with capital buffer theory, we find that external capital issuance is positively related to risk-taking adjustment. We also find that the funds received via internal capital transfers are negatively related to risktaking adjustment among affiliated insurers with lower capitalization and negative profitability, underscoring the monitoring role of groups with affiliates' risk-taking behavior. Our results emphasize the sharp contrast between internal capital transfer and external capital issuances on affiliates' risk-taking.