Loanable Funds Chapter 2 Note
Loanable Funds Chapter 2 Note
Loanable Funds Chapter 2 Note
what is the relationship between interest rate and quantity of demand in case
of foreigndemand for loanable fund, when the demand curve will move to the
right, when the demand curve move to the left
The relationship between interest rates and the quantity of loanable funds demanded by
foreign countries is also inversely proportional. Here's why:
When interest rates in the U.S. are lower compared to their own country's rates,
borrowing from the U.S. becomes more attractive for foreign governments and
corporations. This is because they can get a better deal on loans (pay less interest).
This leads to an increase in the quantity of loanable funds demanded by foreign
entities.
They might borrow more to finance government projects, invest in U.S. businesses, or
simply park their extra cash in U.S. investments that offer a higher return (interest)
compared to their home country.
When interest rates in the U.S. are higher compared to their own country's rates,
borrowing from the U.S. becomes less attractive for foreign entities. They can
find cheaper loans elsewhere. This leads to a decrease in the quantity of loanable
funds demanded by foreign entities.
They might look to borrow from other countries with lower interest rates or choose to
invest their funds domestically.
Rightward Shift (Increased Demand): This can happen due to factors beyond just
U.S. interest rates. Here are some examples:
o Strong U.S. Economy: A stable and growing U.S. economy can be seen as a safer
place to invest, attracting foreign capital.
o Political Instability Abroad: If a foreign country experiences political or economic
turmoil, investors might seek safer havens for their money, like the U.S. loanable funds
market.
o Currency Exchange Rates: Favorable exchange rates can make U.S. investments
even more attractive for foreign entities.
Leftward Shift (Decreased Demand): This can occur due to factors other than U.S.
interest rates as well:
o Economic Growth Abroad: If foreign countries experience strong economic growth
themselves, they might have less need to borrow from the U.S. and might even attract
foreign investment themself.
o Stricter Regulations in the U.S.: If the U.S. imposes stricter regulations on foreign
investment, it could discourage foreign entities from borrowing or investing in the U.S.
loanable funds market.
Key Takeaway: The interest rate differential between the U.S. and foreign countries is
a major driver of foreign demand for loanable funds. However, other economic and
political factors can also play a role in shifting the demand curve.
• A country’s demand for foreign funds depends on the interest rate differential between the two.
• the cost of
• The greater the differential, the greater the demand for foreign funds.
borrowing in the U.S. (interest rate) affects how much foreign
governments want to borrow from the U.S. (demand for loanable
funds). Lower cost (interest rate) leads to higher demand, and
higher cost leads to lower demand. This relationship is inverse
because they move in opposite directions.
Lower U.S. interest rates act like a sale on borrowing. It's cheaper
for foreign governments to borrow from the U.S. So, they tend to
borrow more from the U.S. loanable funds pool.
Higher U.S. interest rates are like borrowing becoming
more expensive. Foreign governments might look elsewhere for
cheaper loans, reducing their demand for U.S. loanable funds.
Sab
the total demand for loanable funds goes down when interest rates go up, and vice versa. It's like
a seesaw - one goes up, the other goes down. Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper.
This incentives all sectors (businesses, governments, households, foreigners) to borrow more,
leading to a higher aggregate demand for loanable funds.
Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive. This discourages all sectors from
borrowing as much, resulting in a lower aggregate demand for loanable funds.
If the demand schedule of any sector changes, it affects the aggregate demand for loanable
funds. Let's see how:
Increased demand from one sector (e.g., businesses): If businesses suddenly need to borrow a
lot more money (their demand for loans increases), it reduces the pool of funds available for
others (households, governments). This pushes the aggregate demand curve up because the
total borrowing need across all sectors has gone up.
Decreased demand from one sector (e.g., households): If households decide to save more and
borrow less (their demand for loans decreases), it frees up loanable funds for others. This pushes
the aggregate demand curve down because the total borrowing need across all sectors has gone
down.
In essence, changes in the borrowing needs of any individual sector can ripple through the entire
loanable funds market, affecting the overall demand for loans.
households are part of the loanable funds market. They borrow money to finance things
they need or want, like:
Housing: Buying a house often requires a loan (mortgage) because it's a large
expense.
Vehicles: Cars and other vehicles can be expensive, so people might take out loans to
purchase them.
Household items: This could include anything from furniture and appliances to
electronics and even home improvements. Loans can help spread out the cost of these
items over time.
This point highlights the relationship between interest rates and borrowing by
households. It's an inverse relationship, meaning:
o Lower interest rates: When borrowing costs less (lower interest rates),
households are generally more likely to take out loans. This means the quantity
of loanable funds demanded by households increases.
o Higher interest rates: When borrowing costs more (higher interest rates),
households might be discouraged from borrowing or borrow less. This means
the quantity of loanable funds demanded by households decreases
o
The relationship between interest rates and the quantity of loanable funds
demanded by households is also inversely proportional. Here's how it works:
When interest rates decrease, borrowing becomes cheaper. This makes households
more likely to take out loans for various needs, leading to an increase in the quantity
of loanable funds demanded.
Examples: Borrowing more for a mortgage (buying a house), financing a car purchase,
or consolidating existing debts at a lower interest rate.
When interest rates increase, borrowing becomes more expensive. This discourages
households from taking out loans or they might borrow less. This translates to
a decrease in the quantity of loanable funds demanded.
Households might choose to delay purchases like cars or renovations, or prioritize
saving over borrowing.
Shifting the Demand Curve:
Rightward Shift (Increased Demand): This happens when factors besides interest
rates make borrowing more attractive for households. Examples include:
o Increased Income: If households have more disposable income, they might be more
comfortable taking on debt.
o Consumer Confidence: A strong economy and positive consumer sentiment can
encourage borrowing for major purchases.
o Expected Price Increases: If households believe prices of desired goods (like houses)
will rise in the future, they might borrow to purchase them now.
Leftward Shift (Decreased Demand): This happens when factors besides interest
rates make borrowing less attractive or discourage spending. Examples include:
o Decreased Income: If households face financial difficulties, they might cut back on
borrowing.
o Economic Uncertainty: Job insecurity or fears of a recession can lead households to
be more cautious with borrowing.
o High Debt Levels: Households with existing high debt might be less likely to take on
additional loans.
Remember: While interest rates are a major influence, other factors can also shift the
household demand curve for loanable funds. These factors affect households' overall
willingness to borrow and their perceived ability to repay loans.
Business demand for loanable funds• Depends on number of business projects to implemented.
• More demand at lower interest rates.
how the interest rate affects business demand:
Lower interest rates: When interest rates are low, borrowing becomes cheaper for
businesses. This encourages them to borrow more, shifting the demand curve to the
right. Lower interest rates make projects with a lower potential return on investment
more feasible.
Higher interest rates: When interest rates are high, borrowing becomes more
expensive. This discourages businesses from borrowing heavily, shifting the demand
curve to the left. Only projects with a high potential return on investment become
attractive at higher interest rates.
Additional factors can also influence business demand for loanable funds:
Understanding the factors affecting business demand for loanable funds is crucial for
various stakeholders, including:
Policymakers: They can use monetary policy tools like interest rates to influence
business investment and economic activity.
Lenders: They can assess the risk associated with lending to businesses and set
appropriate interest rates.
Businesses: They can make informed decisions about borrowing and investment
based on the prevailing interest rates and economic conditions.
what is the relationship between interest rate and
quantity of demand in case of business loanable
fund , when the demand curve will move to the
right, when the demand curve move to the left
The relationship between interest rates and the quantity of loanable funds demanded iin
case of business loanable funds inversely proportional. This means they move in
opposite directions:
Lower interest rates: When borrowing costs decrease, the quantity of loanable
funds demanded increases. Businesses are more likely to borrow for investments as
the cost of borrowing is cheaper. Households might also borrow more for things like
houses or cars. This movement is shown by the demand curve shifting to the right.
Higher interest rates: When borrowing costs increase, the quantity of loanable
factors demanded decreases. Businesses might reconsider investments due to higher
costs, and households might be discouraged from borrowing. This movement is shown
by the demand curve shifting to the left.
Here's when the demand curve might shift to the right (increase in quantity
demanded):
Economic boom: Increased business confidence and growth prospects lead to higher
demand for investment funds.
Technological advancements: Exciting new technologies might create attractive
investment opportunities, prompting businesses to borrow more.
Government incentives: Policies like tax breaks for investment can encourage
businesses to borrow and invest.
Here's when the demand curve might shift to the left (decrease in quantity
demanded):
Economic recession: Businesses become cautious and borrow less due to lower sales
or uncertainty.
Increased regulation: Stricter regulations on businesses can make borrowing less
attractive or more expensive.
Political instability: Uncertainty about the future can discourage businesses from
borrowing for long-term investments.
Remember, the interest rate itself is a major factor that influences the position of the
demand curve. However, these other factors can also play a role by affecting the overall
desire of businesses and households to borrow money.
The relationship between interest rates and the quantity of loanable funds demanded by
the government is a bit different compared to households and businesses. Here's the
breakdown:
The relationship between interest rates and the quantity of loanable funds demanded by
the government is a bit different compared to households and businesses. Here's the
breakdown:
Unlike households and businesses, the government's demand for loanable funds
(through issuing bonds) is generally considered less sensitive to interest rates.
This means that even if interest rates increase (borrowing becomes more expensive),
the government might still need to borrow a similar amount to finance its planned
spending if tax revenue isn't enough. They might have to prioritize essential projects
even with higher borrowing costs.
However, there can still be situations where the government's demand curve for
loanable funds shifts based on factors besides interest rates:
Remember: While interest rates play a less significant role for government borrowing compared
to households and businesses, the overall level of government spending and tax revenue are
the main factors that can shift the demand curve for loanable funds.
Interest Rate: This acts as the price of borrowing money. A higher interest rate means
borrowing is more expensive, and a lower interest rate means it's cheaper.
Quantity of Loanable Funds: This refers to the total amount of money that lenders
are willing to supply and borrowers are willing to demand at a specific interest rate.
The equilibrium point is found where the demand curve (representing how much
borrowers want at different interest rates) intersects the supply curve (representing
how much lenders are willing to supply at different interest rates).
Above the Equilibrium: If the interest rate is higher than the equilibrium point, the
quantity of loanable funds demanded by borrowers will be less than the quantity
supplied by lenders. This creates a surplus of loanable funds. In a competitive market,
lenders will likely lower the interest rate to attract more borrowers, pushing the market
towards equilibrium.
Below the Equilibrium: If the interest rate is lower than the equilibrium point, the
quantity of loanable funds demanded by borrowers will be higher than the quantity
supplied by lenders. This creates a shortage of loanable funds. In response, lenders
will likely raise the interest rate to ration the limited funds and discourage excessive
borrowing, again moving towards equilibrium.
The equilibrium point determines the market interest rate and the total amount of
borrowing that takes place. It affects businesses, households, and the government in
their borrowing decisions. A healthy loanable funds market with a stable equilibrium
point is crucial for economic growth and investment.
Here's a breakdown of when the loanable funds demand curve will move left (decrease)
and right (increase) based on economic growth and other factors:
Economic Growth: As explained earlier, strong economic growth can lead businesses
to be more optimistic and borrow more for expansion, shifting the demand curve right.
This is because businesses have more investment opportunities and feel confident
about the future.
Decreased Interest Rates: When borrowing becomes cheaper due to lower interest
rates, it incentivizes businesses and households to borrow more. This leads to
a rightward shift in the demand curve for loanable funds.
Increased Income and Consumer Confidence: Rising incomes and a positive
economic outlook can make households more comfortable taking on debt for
mortgages, cars, or other purchases. This pushes the demand curve for loanable
funds right, though the shift might be smaller compared to businesses.
Favorable Government Policies: Government policies like tax breaks for investment
or subsidies for specific industries can encourage borrowing and investment, shifting the
demand curve right.
Expected Inflation: If inflation is expected to rise, central banks might raise interest
rates proactively to curb inflation before it gets out of hand. This discourages borrowing
and spending, helping to cool down the economy and stabilize prices. (Interest rates
rise)
Unexpected Inflation: If inflation is unexpectedly high, lenders might demand higher
interest rates to compensate for the erosion of the purchasing power of their loans.
(Interest rates rise)
Expected Inflation: If inflation is expected to rise, central banks might raise interest
rates proactively to curb inflation before it gets out of hand. This discourages borrowing
and spending, helping to cool down the economy and stabilize prices. (Interest rates
rise)
Unexpected Inflation: If inflation is unexpectedly high, lenders might demand higher
interest rates to compensate for the erosion of the purchasing power of their loans.
(Interest rates rise)
Inflation and Savers: If inflation is high, the real return on savings (interest rate minus
inflation) might be negative. This discourages saving and could potentially decrease
the supply of loanable funds (supply curve shifts left). However, some savers might
be motivated to save more to keep up with inflation, leading to an uncertain impact on
the supply curve.
Equilibrium Point:
The combined effects of these factors can influence the equilibrium point in the loanable
funds market. It depends on the specific situation:
o Central Bank Response: If the central bank raises interest rates in response to
inflation, it could lead to a higher equilibrium interest rate and a lower equilibrium
quantity of loanable funds borrowed.
o Uncertainty and Savings: If inflation creates significant uncertainty and discourages
saving, it could lead to a lower equilibrium quantity of loanable funds even if the
interest rate remains the same.
Here's a summary of when the demand and supply curves might shift due to inflation:
Demand Curve Moves Right (Increased Demand): Not very likely due to inflation
itself. However, it could happen if inflation leads to:
o Expectation of Higher Profits: Businesses might anticipate higher future profits due to
inflation and borrow more to invest (unlikely scenario).
Demand Curve Moves Left (Decreased Demand): More likely due to inflation:
o Uncertainty: High or unexpected inflation can cause businesses and households to
borrow less (demand curve shifts left).
Supply Curve Moves Right (Increased Supply): Not very likely due to inflation.
Savers might actually be incentivized to save more to keep up with inflation, but the
overall impact is uncertain.
Supply Curve Moves Left (Decreased Supply): Possible due to inflation:
o Negative Real Returns: If inflation is high and erodes the purchasing power of savings,
people might save less, reducing the supply of loanable funds (supply curve shifts left).
The exact equilibrium point depends on the interplay of these factors and the central
bank's response. There's no single answer as the impact of inflation can be complex
The crowding out effect is an economic theory that suggests that increased
government spending can lead to higher interest rates and reduced private sector
investment. Here's a breakdown:
The government finances its spending through a few methods, like raising taxes or
borrowing money by selling bonds.
When the government borrows more, it competes with businesses and households for a
limited pool of loanable funds in the market.
This increased demand for funds by the government can push interest rates up. Think
of it like an auction - with more participants (government) vying for the same funds,
lenders might raise the price (interest rate) to compensate for the higher demand.
Higher interest rates make borrowing more expensive for businesses and households.
This discourages them from taking out loans for investments, home purchases, cars,
etc.
In essence, the government's increased borrowing "crowds out" some of the private
sector's borrowing activity.
Reduced private sector investment can potentially slow down economic growth in the
long run. This is because businesses might invest less in new equipment, technology,
or expansion plans if borrowing is expensive.
The crowding out effect isn't always a given. It depends on various factors like the size
of the government's borrowing compared to the overall loanable funds market and the
state of the economy.
During economic downturns, private sector borrowing might be low anyway. In such
situations, government spending can actually stimulate the economy by creating
demand and jobs, even if it crowds out some private investment.
Key Takeaway:
The crowding out effect highlights a potential trade-off between government spending
and private sector investment. While increased government spending can address
certain needs, it's important to consider its potential impact on borrowing costs and
economic growth.
Chapter 3
Structure of Interest rates
Why debt security yields vary-
Several factors influence the yields of debt securities, including:
1. Credit (default) risk: This refers to the possibility of the issuer defaulting
on their debt obligation, meaning they fail to make the promised interest
payments or repay the principal amount at maturity. As a general rule, higher credit
risk translates to higher yields. Investors demand a higher return for taking on the
increased risk of default. For instance, a corporate bond issued by a company with a
low credit rating (indicating a higher default risk) will offer a higher yield compared to a
bond issued by a company with a high credit rating (indicating a lower default risk).
You lend money to two friends.Your close friend, who always pays you back on time,
might only owe you a small amount of interest.Your friend who sometimes forgets to
pay you back on time might owe you a higher amount of interest to make up for the
risk.
The concept applies the same way to debt securities and credit risk.
Investors are risk-averse. They don't like the idea of losing their money. So, when they
invest in a debt security, they want to be compensated for the possibility that the issuer
might not pay them back.
Imagine two companies: Company A is very stable and financially strong, while
Company B is a newer startup with a higher chance of failing.
Both companies issue bonds. Bonds are essentially loans you make to a company,
and in return, they promise to pay you interest and return your principal amount at
maturity.
Company A's bonds will have a lower yield. Investors are confident they'll get their
money back, so they're happy with a smaller return.
Company B's bonds will have a higher yield. Investors are taking on more risk by
lending to a less stable company. To convince them to invest, Company B has to offer a
higher potential return.
Think of yield as a kind of insurance premium. The riskier the investment (higher
chance of default), the higher the premium (yield) you demand to compensate for that
risk
2. Term to maturity: This refers to the length of time until the debt security matures and the
investor receives their principal back. Generally, longer-term debt securities offer higher
yields than shorter-term ones. This compensates investors for tying up their capital for a
longer period. For example, a 10-year government bond will typically have a higher yield than a
2-year government bond.
3. Liquidity:Liquidity means how easily an asset can be exchanged. It means how quickly we
can get money out of an asset. Less liquid securities tend to offer higher yields as investors
require compensation for the potential difficulty of selling them quickly if needed. For
example, a corporate bond traded on a less active exchange might offer a higher yield
compared to a similar bond traded on a major exchange.
4. Tax status: The tax implications of a debt security can also affect its yield. Tax-exempt
securities, which do not generate taxable interest income, typically offer lower yields than
taxable For example, municipal bonds issued by local governments are often exempt from
securities because investors are willing to accept a lower return in exchange for the tax
benefits. federal income tax, and therefore, they generally offer lower yields than corporate
bonds.