Can financial innovation help to explain the reduced volatility of economic activity?

• 成果类型: Article; Proceedings Paper
• 署名作者: Dynan, KE; Elmendorf, DW; Sichel, DE
• 署名单位: Federal Reserve System - USA; Federal Reserve System Board of Governors
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF MONETARY ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2005.10.012
• 发表日期: 2006
• 页码: 123-150
• 关键词: economic fluctuations; volatility; financial innovation; financial deregulation

摘要

The stabilization of economic activity in the mid 1980s has received considerable attention. Research has focused primarily on the role played by milder economic shocks, improved inventory management, and better monetary policy. This paper explores another potential explanation: financial innovation. Examples of such innovation include developments in lending practices and loan markets that have enhanced the ability of households and firms to borrow and changes in government policy such as the demise of Regulation Q. We employ a variety of simple empirical techniques to identify links between the observed moderation in economic activity and the influence of financial innovation on consumer spending, housing investment, and business fixed investment. Our results suggest that financial innovation should be added to the list of likely contributors to the mid-1980s stabilization. Published by Elsevier B.V.