We propose a dynamic theory of banking where deposits play the role of productive capital as in the classical Q-theory of investment for non-financial firms. A key conceptual innovation of our theory is that the stock of deposits cannot be perfectly controlled by the bank. Demand deposit...

During the last several years, the banking community has become increasingly aware of the risks faced by participants on electronic funds transfer (EFT) networks. Of particular concern have been the volume and incidence of "daylight overdrafts" on Fedwire and the risk of systemic failure due to...

In this Data Point we present the results of several analyses of consumers' experiences with overdrafts at a number of large banks. In many instances we break down our results by an account holder's status under Regulation E requirements (also known as “opt-in status”). This refers to the...

Automated teller machines (ATMs) have expanded in number from 2,000 to 90,000 over the last 20 years, substantially increasing consumer convenience in the delivery of deposit services. The cost reductions expected to flow to banks from the substitution of ATMs for banking offices have not been...

In the United States, bankers and the Federal Reserve System have attempted to control risk on large-dollar wire transfer networks by means of quantitative limits. Net debit caps, as the limit.. are called, restrict the extent to which an institution can incur daylight overdrafts on Fedwire and...

The “cashless and checkless” society has been a dominant theme in the thinking of bankers for twenty years. Because electronic funds transfer (EFT) represents a breakthrough in the payment process, most discussions of electronic payments have dealt only with expected future developments. In...

Over the years, albeit less so in connection with consumer accounts, the bank's absolute liability became subject to exceptions. Particularly, bypassing a classical text explicitly to the contrary, it had been recognized that a customer's fault can lead to the forgery of the customer's own...

This book, edited by Bruce J. Summers, makes a practical contribution to increased understanding of payment system design and management and of the relationship between the payment system and monetary policy. the authors of the 12 papers included in the book are central banking experts from...