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Low Real Interest Rates, Collateral Misrepresentation, and Monetary Policy

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  • Stephen D. Williamson

Abstract

A model is constructed in which households and banks have incentives to fake the quality of collateral. These incentive problems matter when collateral is scarce in the aggregate when real interest rates are low. Conventional monetary easing can exacerbate these problems, in that the misrepresentation of collateral becomes more protable, thus increasing haircuts and interest rate differentials. Central bank purchases of private mortgages may not be feasible, due to misrepresentation of asset quality. If feasible, central bank asset purchase programs work by circumventing suboptimal fiscal policy, not by mitigating incentive problems in asset markets. (Previously circulated under the title,\"Central Bank Purchases of Private Assets.\")

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen D. Williamson, 2014. "Low Real Interest Rates, Collateral Misrepresentation, and Monetary Policy," Working Papers 2014-26, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedlwp:2014-026
    Note: Previously circulated under the title "Central Bank Purchases of Private Assets."
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kang, Kee-Youn, 2021. "Optimal contract for asset trades: Collateralizing or selling?," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    2. Andolfatto, David & Williamson, Stephen, 2015. "Scarcity of safe assets, inflation, and the policy trap," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 70-92.
    3. Stephen Williamson, 2019. "Low real interest rates and the zero lower bound," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 31, pages 36-62, January.
    4. Fatih Tuluk, 2021. "Collateral Misrepresentation, External Auditing, and Optimal Supervisory Policy," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 32(5), pages 975-1016, November.
    5. Williamson, Stephen D., 2022. "Central bank digital currency and flight to safety," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    6. Stephen Williamson, 2019. "Neo‐Fisherism and inflation control," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(3), pages 882-913, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    monetary policy; fiscal policy;

    JEL classification:

    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E5 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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