Does Inequality Lead to Credit Growth? Testing the Rajan Hypothesis Using State-Level Data

Economics Letters, vol. 148(C), pages 63-67.

Posted: 26 Aug 2018

See all articles by Steven Yamarik

Steven Yamarik

California State University, Long Beach - Department of Economics; Henan University

Makram El-Shagi

Henan University

Guy Yamashiro

California State University, Long Beach - Department of Economics

Date Written: August 2018

Abstract

This paper uses state-level data to test the Rajan hypothesis, from his book Fault Lines, that an increase in inequality can lead to a credit boom. Using dynamic heterogeneous panel estimation methods (i.e. MG, PMG, DFE), we find a positive long-run relationship between inequality and real estate lending across U.S. states.

Keywords: Rajan, Inequality, Loans, Credit, PMG

JEL Classification: E62, H71, R11

Suggested Citation

Yamarik, Steven and El-Shagi, Makram and Yamashiro, Guy, Does Inequality Lead to Credit Growth? Testing the Rajan Hypothesis Using State-Level Data (August 2018). Economics Letters, vol. 148(C), pages 63-67., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3232238

Steven Yamarik (Contact Author)

California State University, Long Beach - Department of Economics ( email )

1250 Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840-4607
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.csulb.edu/~syamarik

Henan University ( email )

85 Minglun St. Shunhe
Kaifeng, Henan 475001
China

HOME PAGE: http://cfds.henuecon.education/index.php/research/data/yes-capital-data

Makram El-Shagi

Henan University ( email )

85 Minglun St. Shunhe
Kaifeng, Henan 475001
China

Guy Yamashiro

California State University, Long Beach - Department of Economics ( email )

1250 Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840-4607
United States

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