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Can Policy Tame the Credit Cycle?

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  • Jeremy C. Stein

    (Harvard University and NBER)

Abstract

In this paper, I begin by providing a brief survey of recent research that highlights some of the key empirical facts about credit cycles. Next, I interpret these facts through a conceptual lens, asking what theoretical mechanisms appear to be most consistent with the data. And finally, I pose the question of what policymakers can do—with either regulatory tools or monetary policy—to help moderate credit-driven fluctuations in real activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremy C. Stein, 2021. "Can Policy Tame the Credit Cycle?," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 69(1), pages 5-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:imfecr:v:69:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41308-020-00125-1
    DOI: 10.1057/s41308-020-00125-1
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    Cited by:

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    2. Giovanni Dell’Ariccia & Deniz Igan & Paolo Mauro & Hala Moussawi & Alexander F. Tieman & Aleksandra Zdzienicka, 2022. "The Long Shadow of Public Interventions in the Financial Sector," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 70(2), pages 212-250, June.
    3. Andrea Ajello & Nina Boyarchenko & François Gourio & Andrea Tambalotti, 2022. "Financial Stability Considerations for Monetary Policy: Theoretical Mechanisms," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2022-005, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    4. Kirti, Divya, 2022. "What are reference rates for?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    5. Widiantoro, Dimas Mukhlas, 2022. "Countercyclical capital buffer: building the resilience or taming the rapid financial cycle?," MPRA Paper 113507, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Mujtaba Zia & Jennifer Logan, 2021. "Bank Revolving Credit as a Channel of Monetary Policy," The Review of Finance and Banking, Academia de Studii Economice din Bucuresti, Romania / Facultatea de Finante, Asigurari, Banci si Burse de Valori / Catedra de Finante, vol. 13(2), pages 147-160, December.
    7. policy, Work stream on macroprudential & Policy, Monetary & Stability, Financial & Albertazzi, Ugo & Martin, Alberto & Assouan, Emmanuelle & Tristani, Oreste & Galati, Gabriele & Vlassopoulos, Thomas , 2023. "The role of financial stability considerations in monetary policy and the interaction with macroprudential policy in the euro area," Occasional Paper Series 272, European Central Bank.
    8. policy, Work stream on macroprudential & Albertazzi, Ugo & Martin, Alberto & Assouan, Emmanuelle & Tristani, Oreste & Galati, Gabriele & Vlassopoulos, Thomas, 2021. "The role of financial stability considerations in monetary policy and the interaction with macroprudential policy in the euro area," Occasional Paper Series 272, European Central Bank.
    9. Carlos Canizares Martinez, 2023. "Leaning against housing booms fueled by credit," Working and Discussion Papers WP 9/2023, Research Department, National Bank of Slovakia.

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