Question

1. Suppose banks keep no excess reserves and no individuals or firms decide to hold more cash during the deposit expansion process. If someone suddenly discovers $50 million in buried treasure, explain what would happen to the money supply if the required reserve ratio is 10 percent. How would your answer change in the required reserve ratio was 20 percent?

Answer 1

Answer:

Increase by $500 m

Increase by $250 m  instead of $500 m

Explanation:

Since all the deposits over and above the reserve requirements are loaned out by the banks,

We can calculate the Credit multiplier and see how a new 50 m deposit will affect the money supply.

Credit multiplier @ 10% reserve = 1 / 0.10 = 10 times

So a new deposit of 50 m will create new money of 10 * 50 = 500 m thus increasing the money supply by this amount.

For a 20% reserve ratio, Credit multiplier changes a,

Credit Multiplier = 1 / 0.2 = 5 times

This will change the money supply by = 5 * 50 = 250 m. This is the amount of new money that will be created with reserve ratio of 20%.

Hope that helps.