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The Safe Asset Controversy: Policy Implications after the Crisis

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  • Christoph Große Steffen

Abstract

Safe assets are the lubricant of the financial system. They serve as a store of value, to meet regulatory requirements, and as a pricing benchmark. Some researchers identify a severe and chronic global safe asset shortage; others disagree, while empirical evidence remains ambiguous. In the post-Lehman world, the availability of safe assets entails new policy challenges. While still a potential source for global imbalances, the debate today stretches further to implications for financial stability and economic policy effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Christoph Große Steffen, 2014. "The Safe Asset Controversy: Policy Implications after the Crisis," DIW Roundup: Politik im Fokus 3, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
  • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwrup:3en
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    File URL: https://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/diw_01.c.434490.de/DIW_Roundup_3_en.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ricardo J. Caballero & Arvind Krishnamurthy, 2009. "Global Imbalances and Financial Fragility," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 99(2), pages 584-588, May.
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    5. Eichengreen, Barry, 2012. "Exorbitant Privilege: The Rise and Fall of the Dollar," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199642472.
    6. Martin Feldstein, 2013. "An Interview with Paul Volcker," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 27(4), pages 105-120, Fall.
    7. Ingo Fender & Ulf Lewrick, 2013. "Mind the gap? Sources and implications of supply-demand imbalances in collateral asset markets," BIS Quarterly Review, Bank for International Settlements, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dániel Horváth & Róbert Szini, 2015. "The safety trap – the financial market and macroeconomic consequences of the scarcity of safe assets," Financial and Economic Review, Magyar Nemzeti Bank (Central Bank of Hungary), vol. 14(1), pages 111-138.
    2. repec:cbh:journl:v:14:y:2015:i:1:p:111-138 is not listed on IDEAS

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