Staff Reports
The Side Effects of Safe Asset Creation
Number 842
March 2018 August 2018

JEL classification: E3, E4, E5, G1, H6

Authors: Sushant Acharya and Keshav Dogra

We present an incomplete markets model to understand the costs and benefits of increasing government debt in a low interest rate environment. Higher risk increases the demand for safe assets, lowering the natural rate of interest below zero, constraining monetary policy at the zero lower bound, and raising unemployment. Higher government debt satiates the demand for safe assets, raising the natural rate and restoring full employment. While this permanently lowers investment, a policymaker committed to low inflation has no alternative. Higher inflation targets, instead, permit both full employment and high investment, but allow for harmful bubbles. Aggressive fiscal policy can prevent bubbles.

Available only in PDF
Author Disclosure Statement(s)
Sushant Acharya
The author declares that he has no relevant or material financial interests that relate to the research described in this paper.

Keshav Dogra
The author declares that he has no relevant or material financial interests that relate to the research described in this paper.
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Statement. You can learn more about how we use cookies by reviewing our Privacy Statement.   Close