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Inequality and the zero lower bound

Author

Listed:
  • Jesús Fernández-Villaverde

    (UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA)

  • Joël Marbet

    (BANCO DE ESPAÑA)

  • Galo Nuño

    (BANCO DE ESPAÑA)

  • Omar Rachedi

    (ESADE BUSINESS SCHOOL)

Abstract

This paper studies how household inequality shapes the effects of the zero lower bound (ZLB) on nominal interest rates on aggregate dynamics. To do so, we consider a heterogeneous agent New Keynesian (HANK) model with an occasionally binding ZLB and solve for its fully non-linear stochastic equilibrium using a novel neural network algorithm. In this setting, changes in the monetary policy stance influence households’precautionary savings by altering the frequency of ZLB events. As a result, the model features monetary policy non-neutrality in the long run. The degree of long-run non-neutrality, i.e., by how much monetary policy shifts real rates in the ergodic distribution of the model, can be substantial when we combine low inflation targets and high levels of wealth inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Jesús Fernández-Villaverde & Joël Marbet & Galo Nuño & Omar Rachedi, 2024. "Inequality and the zero lower bound," Working Papers 2407, Banco de España.
    • Handle: RePEc:bde:wpaper:2407
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.53479/36133
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    File URL: https://www.bde.es/f/webbe/SES/Secciones/Publicaciones/PublicacionesSeriadas/DocumentosTrabajo/24/Files/dt2407e.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Dobrew, Michael & Gerke, Rafael & Giesen, Sebastian & Röttger, Joost, 2025. "Make-up strategies with incomplete markets and bounded rationality," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    2. Joonseok Oh & Anna Rogantini Picco, 2025. "Macro Uncertainty, Unemployment Risk, And Consumption Dynamics," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 66(1), pages 287-312, February.
    3. Jesús Fernández-Villaverde & Galo Nuño & Jesse Perla, 2024. "Taming the Curse of Dimensionality: Quantitative Economics with Deep Learning," NBER Working Papers 33117, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Nickel, Christiane & Kilponen, Juha & Moral-Benito, Enrique & Koester, Gerrit & Ciccarelli, Matteo & Enders, Almira & Holton, Sarah & Landau, Bettina & Venditti, Fabrizio & Bobeica, Elena & Brand, Cla, 2025. "A strategic view on the economic and inflation environment in the euro area," Occasional Paper Series 371, European Central Bank.
    5. Benjamin Moll, 2025. "The Trouble with Rational Expectations in Heterogeneous Agent Models: A Challenge for Macroeconomics," Papers 2508.20571, arXiv.org.
    6. Adam Golinski & Sophie Guilloux-Nefussi & Jean-Paul Renne, 2025. "The Shadow Rate Model: Let’s Make it Real!," Working papers 1014, Banque de France.
    7. repec:ptu:bdpart:e202504 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Alexandre Carvalho & José Miguel Cardoso da Costa & Joana Garcia & Sandra Gomes & Pedro Pires Ribeiro, 2025. "The ECB’s monetary policy strategy: from the 2021 review to the 2025 assessment," Economic Bulletin and Financial Stability Report Articles and Banco de Portugal Economic Studies, Banco de Portugal, Economics and Research Department.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • E12 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General Aggregative Models - - - Keynes; Keynesian; Post-Keynesian; Modern Monetary Theory
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • E43 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Interest Rates: Determination, Term Structure, and Effects
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • 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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