This chapter looks at US household sector micro data since 1989, to explore the relation between income inequality and financial fragility from a macro perspective. In contrast with a portfolio (and wealth inequality) approach to household financial instability, which focuses on the investments...

Central banks' commitment to public interest goes beyond monetary policy. A wide range of areas are under the control of central banks (price and financial stability, services for the economy, e.g., economic analysis, payments, financial education, customer protection); central banks also have...