This paper empirically investigates the effects of changes in the interest rate as well as transitory income uncertainty on households' consumption-savings decision. Applying a structural demand model to German survey data, we estimate the uncompensated interest rate elasticity for savings, in...

In the aftermath of the global financial and economic crisis, the ECB became deeply involved in activities aimed at stabilizing the financial system, over-leveraged banks, and over-indebted governments. This article addresses the costs of these monetary policy measures, which heavily exceed the...

In the aftermath of the global financial and economic crisis, the ECB became deeply involved in activities aimed at stabilizing the financial system, over-leveraged banks, and over-indebted governments. This article addresses the costs of these monetary policy measures, which heavily exceed the...

We study the exposure of mortgage borrowers in Switzerland to interest rate, income and house price risks and examine how the households' choice of risky mortgages is related to individual interest rate expectations and risk-aversion. Our analysis is based on a unique data set of household...

Is there a link between loose monetary conditions, credit growth, house price booms, and financial instability? This paper analyzes the role of interest rates and credit in driving house price booms and busts with data spanning 140 years of modern economic history in the advanced economies. We...