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THE EFFECT OF CHANGES IN RESERVE REQUIREMENTS DURING THE 1930s:

Author

Listed:
  • Thomas Mayer
  • Thomas F. Cargill

    (Department of Economics, University of California Davis)

Abstract

The differential response of cash reserves of member banks and nonmember banks not subject to the 1936-37 increase in reserve requirements is estimated to determine whether the 1937-38 recession was caused by the increase in reserve requirements. We identify 17 states that maintained constant reserve requirements from June 1934 to June 1941. While member banks increased their cash reserve ratios relative to nonmember banks, the magnitude of the adjustment is too small to have contributed to the 1937-38 recession. Shock prices and public reaction to the increase in reserve requirements are consistent with the empirical results. While the Fed was responsible for the Great Contraction, the results are inconsistent with the view the Fed?s reserve requirement increase contributed significantly to the 1937-38 recession.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Mayer & Thomas F. Cargill, 2004. "THE EFFECT OF CHANGES IN RESERVE REQUIREMENTS DURING THE 1930s:," Working Papers 317, University of California, Davis, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:cda:wpaper:317
    as

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    File URL: https://repec.dss.ucdavis.edu/files/vqqEUuLZ2SV7FguNWWB5ynN6/03-10.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:ucp:bkecon:9780226519999 is not listed on IDEAS
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    excess reserves; Federal Reserve; Great Depression; reserve requirements; 1937-38;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E65 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Studies of Particular Policy Episodes
    • N12 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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