Reserve Requirementson Bank Deposits a+L558s Implicit Taxes: A Case Study of Italy

Author/Editor:

Lazaros E. Molho

Publication Date:

February 1, 1992

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:

This paper analyzes the quasi-fiscal effects of Italy’s relatively high bank reserve requirements, against the background of growing pressure to align them with those of other EC countries. The paper develops an integrated accounting framework for the measurement of implicit and explicit taxes on the banking system and applies that framework to the Italian experience during the 1980s. Pointing to a lack of transparency in the yield and incidence of the reserve requirement tax, the results reinforce the case for lowering the attendant burden on the Italian banking system. It is estimated that that burden could be halved at a cost to the budget of no more than 0.2 percent of GDP.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1992/018

Subject:

Bank deposits Bank levy Banking Deposit rates Financial institutions Financial services Loans Monetary policy Reserve requirements Taxes

English

Publication Date:

February 1, 1992

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451843583/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0181992

Pages:

27

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