U.S. Bank Behavior in the Wake of the 2007–2009 Financial Crisis
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Summary:
The paper examines the slowdown of lending by large U.S. banks over the period 2007Q3 - 2009Q2, focusing on: (i) whether capital or liquidity was the binding constraint; (ii) factors influencing banks’ decision to hold capital; and (iii) their pricing behavior. Using quarterly data for the largest U.S. banks, the paper finds that capital, rather than liquidity, constrained lending. Banks took actions to increase capital by slowing lending and raising profit margins, not fully passing through the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts. Banks optimally choose capital based on the expected future demand for loans and the marginal cost of capital.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2010/131
Subject:
Bank credit Banking Capital adequacy requirements Commercial banks Loans
English
Publication Date:
May 1, 2010
ISBN/ISSN:
9781455201143/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA2010131
Pages:
30
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