Panic bank runs, global market contagion and the financial consequences of social media

Abstract

This paper provides empirical analysis on how social media amplifies bank runs, using the recent bank turmoil in the US. Employing data for 94 countries, our findings show that social media provides a conduit through which an immediate negative and significant impact of the bank crisis transmits across global investor sentiments and market outcomes. The results also indicate a significant spill-over influence of the turmoil on European and G7 economies, while there appears to be no significant impact on major markets in Asia and Africa.