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Interest Rate Liberalization and Capital Misallocations

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  • Zheng Liu
  • Pengfei Wang
  • Zhiwei Xu

Abstract

We study the consequences of interest rate liberalization in a two-sector general equilibrium model of China. The model captures a key feature of China's distorted financial system: state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have greater incentive to expand production and easier access to credit than private firms. In this second-best environment, interest rate liberalization can improve capital allocations within each sector but can also exacerbate misallocations across sectors. Under calibrated parameters, the liberalization policy can reduce aggregate productivity and welfare unless other policy reforms are also implemented to alleviate SOEs' distorted incentives or improve private firms' credit access.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng Liu & Pengfei Wang & Zhiwei Xu, 2021. "Interest Rate Liberalization and Capital Misallocations," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 13(2), pages 373-419, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejmac:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:373-419
    DOI: 10.1257/mac.20180045
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    4. Yihao Xue & Qiaoyu Liang & Bing Tong, 2022. "The Effects of Energy Supply Shocks and Interest Rate Liberalization in China," CFDS Discussion Paper Series 2022/1, Center for Financial Development and Stability at Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China.
    5. Ming Chen & Jiao Wu, 2023. "State ownership may not be bad: Based on bibliometric research (2002–2021)," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(2), pages 1285-1304, March.
    6. Song, Zheng (Michael) & Xiong, Wei, 2018. "Risks in China’s financial system," BOFIT Discussion Papers 1/2018, Bank of Finland, Institute for Economies in Transition.
    7. Guillaume Horny & Supriya Kapoor, 2021. "Investment Response to Monetary Policy in a Low Interest Rate Environment: Evidence from the ECB's Corporate QE," Trinity Economics Papers tep1121, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics.
    8. Ding Dong & Zheng Liu & Pengfei Wang, 2021. "Turbulent Business Cycles," Working Paper Series 2021-22, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
    9. Li, Huiyu, 2022. "Leverage and productivity," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    10. Dongmin Kong & Lu Shi, 2023. "Financial constraints and political catering disclosures of non‐state‐owned firms: Evidence from textual analysis," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(4), pages 4533-4563, December.
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    12. Chang, Chun & Liu, Zheng & Spiegel, Mark M. & Zhang, Jingyi, 2019. "Reserve requirements and optimal Chinese stabilization policy," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 33-51.
    13. Qiu, Baoyin & Cheng, Bo, 2022. "Is a deleveraging policy effective? Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 471-480.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L32 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Public Enterprises; Public-Private Enterprises
    • P24 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - National Income, Product, and Expenditure; Money; Inflation
    • P31 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Socialist Enterprises and Their Transitions
    • P34 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Finance

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