Systemic Risk Contagion Mechanism in Iran Financial System: Money and Capital Markets

In this paper, using an agent-based model, the behavior of commercial banks and investment funds is simulated. We have tried to show systemic risk transmission mechanism from the money market to the capital market through balance sheet changes. In this model, the money and capital markets are endogenously modeled and the price is determined by interest rate and stock market index in these markets respectively. 81 percent of Iranian commercial banks have a mixed portfolio of interbank loans and securities and can spread the crisis throughout the financial system in case of a shock. This process happens through the fire sale mechanism and investment fund unit redemption and can make stocks undervalued in the capital market. Although higher imposed capital adequacy and liquid assets rate can reduce the shock effect on price in the capital market, these high rates make banks portfolios mixed and increases systemic risk. Optimal capital adequacy rate is estimated 19 percent.