Investment Bank Welfare?

Publication Date:

Publisher: Center for Economic and Policy Research

Author(s): Dean Baker; Matt Sherman

Research Area: Banking and finance

Keywords: Financial industry; Recession; Loan interest

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This study produces calculations of the amount of money being dispersed by the government to the 16 primary dealers and investment banks who qualify to borrow through the special lending facilities created in the last year by the Federal Reserve Board under the assumption that each borrows in proportion to its assets. The study then uses Fed data on the interest rate charged for loans from these lending facilities to calculate the potential subsidy in this lending. The report calls attention to the fact that few details have been given about the specific loan amounts, recipients, or collateral posted.