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The Japanese banks in the lasting low-, zero- and negative-interest rate environment

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  • Schnabl, Gunther
  • Murai, Taiki

Abstract

The bursting of the Japanese bubble economy in the early 1990s put the stage for a lasting lowzero-, and negative-interest rate environment, which fundamentally changed the business environment for the Japanese commercial banks. On the income side, with interest margins becoming increasingly depressed, net interest revenues declined, which forced the banks to expand revenues from fees and commissions. The banks had to cut costs by reducing the number of employees, closing branches and merging into larger banks. The gradual concentration process has most recently cumulated in the relaxation of the monopoly law. With the capital allocation function of banks being undermined, the Japanese economy has become zombified, suffering from anemic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Schnabl, Gunther & Murai, Taiki, 2020. "The Japanese banks in the lasting low-, zero- and negative-interest rate environment," Working Papers 169, University of Leipzig, Faculty of Economics and Management Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:leiwps:169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Japan; Bank of Japan; monetary policy; banks; interest margin; financial repression; concentration; regional banks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E50 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - General
    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages

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