Credit Traps

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2012
Volume: 102
Issue: 6
Pages: 3004-32

Authors (2)

Efraim Benmelech (Northwestern University) Nittai K. Bergman (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper studies the limitations of monetary policy in stimulating credit and investment. We show that, under certain circumstances, unconventional monetary policies fail in that liquidity injections into the banking sector are hoarded and not lent out. We use the term "credit traps" to describe such situations and show how they can arise due to the interplay between financing frictions, liquidity, and collateral values. We show that small contractions in monetary policy can lead to a collapse in lending. Our analysis demonstrates how quantitative easing may be useful in increasing collateral prices, bank lending, and aggregate investment. (JEL E44, E52, E58, G01)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:102:y:2012:i:6:p:3004-32
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24