Quantitative Easing and Bank Risk Taking: Evidence from Lending
56 Pages Posted: 2 Nov 2015 Last revised: 18 May 2020
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Quantitative Easing and Bank Risk Taking: Evidence from Lending
Quantitative Easing and Bank Risk Taking: Evidence from Lending
Date Written: September 21, 2018
Abstract
We empirically test early monetary theories in which reserve creation plays a crucial role in the transmission of quantitative easing (QE). Analyzing the unprecedented injection of reserves across several Federal Reserve QE programs, we demonstrate a causal effect of bank-level reserve accumulation on lending and risk taking activity. To overcome the endogeneity of bank-level reserve increases to banks' other portfolio decisions, we employ instruments made available by a regulatory change that strongly influenced the distribution of reserves in the banking system. Consistent with the theory, we document that reserve creation leads to higher total loan growth and increased risk taking.
Keywords: QE, bank lending, reserve balances, monetary policy, Federal Reserve, risk-taking channel, LSAP, portfolio substitution effect
JEL Classification: G21, E52, E58, G28
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation