Capital Flows and Economic Fluctuations: The Role of Commercial Banks in Transmitting Shocks

Author/Editor:

Yong Sarah Zhou

Publication Date:

January 1, 2008

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

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 uses a general equilibrium model to examine the central role played by commercial banks in intermediating and amplifying the capital flow shocks to the local economy in the 1997 Asia financial crisis. It finds that a sudden stop of capital inflows affects the equilibrium credit supply through two channels: first, the plunge of foreign financing decreases the loanable funds directly; and second the sudden stop drives up the cost of providing banking services, thereby additionally reducing the available bank credit to firms through a "deposit run". Empirical results from a VAR model broadly support the theoretical implications.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2008/012

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

January 1, 2008

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451868746/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2008012

Pages:

30

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org