IMF Working Papers

Cash Shortage in the Former Soviet Union

June 1, 1994

Preview Citation

Format: Chicago

International Monetary Fund. "Cash Shortage in the Former Soviet Union", IMF Working Papers 1994, 067 (1994), accessed 1/18/2026, https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451848861.001

Export Citation

  • ProCite
  • RefWorks
  • Reference Manager
  • BibTex
  • Zotero
  • EndNote
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

An unexpected shortage of banknotes emerged during 1992 in the former Soviet Union. The cash shortage is explained by the asymmetry in the monetary union that prevailed, under which one member (the Russian Federation) controlled banknote production while every member could create deposit money. Interest rate rigidity forestalled an equilibrating adjustment in demand for banknotes. The possible efficiency costs of the cash shortage are explored.

Subject: Banking, Consumption, Currencies, Deposit rates, Economic integration, Financial services, Monetary unions, Money, National accounts, Real interest rates

Keywords: Baltics, cash money, cash ruble, cash shortage, Consumption, Currencies, Deposit rates, exchange rate, monetary union, Monetary unions, price level, Real interest rates, WP