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Unregulated and regulated free banking: Evidence from the case of Switzerland (1826–1907)

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  • Herger, Nils

Abstract

This paper provides a reassessment of the free-banking history of Switzerland, which included both a period of unfettered competition (1826–1881) and one of strong banknote regulation (1881–1907). Unfettered competition between note-issuing banks gave rise to a fragmented paper-money system, with limited liquidity banknotes. To increase confidence in these notes, the federal government introduced a minimum-reserve requirement and a mutual-conversion rule in 1881. Based on a theoretical model and new empirical evidence, this paper shows that this enhanced regulation came at a cost, as it led to the overissuing of banknotes and an inelastic paper-money supply.

Suggested Citation

  • Herger, Nils, 2022. "Unregulated and regulated free banking: Evidence from the case of Switzerland (1826–1907)," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:exehis:v:83:y:2022:i:c:s0014498321000450
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eeh.2021.101423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Rebecca Stuart, 2022. "160 Years of aggregate supply and demand in Switzerland," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics, Springer;Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics, vol. 158(1), pages 1-14, December.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Systems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • N14 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - Europe: 1913-
    • N23 - Economic History - - Financial Markets and Institutions - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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