You Can't Always Get What You Want (Where You Want it) : Cross-Border Effects of the US Money Market Fund Reform

This paper documents significant cross-border effects of the 2014 US money market fund (MMF) reform on MMFs in the euro area. As US-based prime MMFs became less money-like due to the reform, euro area-based prime MMFs received large inflows from foreign investors. These cross-border flows were largely motivated by the search for stable net asset value instruments rather than by the introduction of gates and fees. Consistent with an easing of competitive pressure, institutional prime funds in the euro area reduced their risk-taking. However, the industry became more concentrated overall and more exposed to run risk from foreign investors. This risk materialized during the COVID-19-induced stress period