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How Important is the Credit Channel in the Transmission of Monetary Policy?

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  • Valerie A. Ramey

Abstract

This paper empirically tests the importance of the credit channel in the transmission of monetary policy. Three credit variables are analyzed: total bank loans, bank holdings of securities relative to loans, and the difference in the growth rate of short-term debt of small and large firms. In order to determine the marginal effect of the credit channel over the standard money channel, the significance of the credit variables is studied in a model that includes money (M2). In most cases, the credit variables play an insignificant role in the impact of monetary policy shocks on output.

Suggested Citation

  • Valerie A. Ramey, 1993. "How Important is the Credit Channel in the Transmission of Monetary Policy?," NBER Working Papers 4285, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:4285
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • E51 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Money Supply; Credit; Money Multipliers

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