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The international propagation of the financial crisis of 2008 and a comparison with 19311

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  • Allen, William A.
  • Moessner, Richhild

Abstract

We examine the international propagation of the financial crisis of 2008, and compare it with that of the crisis of 1931. Both crises featured a flight to liquidity and safety. We argue that the collateral squeeze in the United States, which became intense after the failure of Lehman Brothers, was an important propagator in 2008; in 1931 the acceptances granted by London banks to central European borrowers propagated the crisis to the UK. In both crises, central banks' reserve management actions contributed to the liquidity crisis. And in both crises, the behaviour of creditors towards debtors, and the valuation of assets by creditors, were very important. However, there was a key difference between the two crises in the range and nature of assets that were regarded as liquid and safe: central banks in 2008, with no gold standard constraint, could liquefy illiquid assets on a much greater scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Allen, William A. & Moessner, Richhild, 2012. "The international propagation of the financial crisis of 2008 and a comparison with 19311," Financial History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(2), pages 123-147, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:fihrev:v:19:y:2012:i:02:p:123-147_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Xavier De Scheemaekere & Kim Oosterlinck & Ariane Szafarz, 2014. "Issues in Identifying Economic Crises: Insights from History," Working Papers CEB 14-014, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    2. Kris James Mitchener & Gary Richardson, 2019. "Network Contagion and Interbank Amplification during the Great Depression," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 127(2), pages 465-507.
    3. Kruse, Timothy A. & Todd, Steven K., 2013. "Price manipulation at the NYSE and the 1899 battle for Brooklyn Rapid Transit shares," Financial History Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(3), pages 279-303, December.
    4. Olivier Accominotti, 2019. "International banking and transmission of the 1931 financial crisis," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 72(1), pages 260-285, February.
    5. Huang, Weihong & Chen, Zhenxi, 2020. "Modelling contagion of financial crises," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    6. Zhenxi Chen, 2020. "Regional financial market bloc and spillover of the financial crisis: A heterogeneous agents approach," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 88(2), pages 262-281, March.

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