Monetary Policy and Racial Inequality

49 Pages Posted: 11 Feb 2021 Last revised: 14 Jul 2021

See all articles by Alina K. Bartscher

Alina K. Bartscher

University of Bonn

Moritz Kuhn

University of Bonn

Moritz Schularick

University of Bonn - Department of Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Paul Wachtel

New York University - Stern School of Business

Multiple version iconThere are 4 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 2021

Abstract

This paper aims at an improved understanding of the relationship between monetary policy and racial inequality. We investigate the distributional effects of monetary policy in a unified framework, linking monetary policy shocks both to earnings and wealth differentials between black and white households. Specifically, we show that, although a more accommodative monetary policy increases employment of black households more than white households, the overall effects are small. At the same time, an accommodative monetary policy shock exacerbates the wealth difference between black and white households, because black households own fewer financial assets that appreciate in value. Over a five year horizon, the employment effects remain substantially smaller than the countervailing portfolio effects.

JEL Classification: E40, E52, J15

Suggested Citation

Bartscher, Alina K. and Kuhn, Moritz and Schularick, Moritz and Wachtel, Paul, Monetary Policy and Racial Inequality (January 2021). CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP15734, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3783960

Alina K. Bartscher (Contact Author)

University of Bonn ( email )

Regina-Pacis-Weg 3
Postfach 2220
Bonn, D-53012
Germany

Moritz Kuhn

University of Bonn ( email )

Regina-Pacis-Weg 3
Postfach 2220
Bonn, D-53012
Germany

Moritz Schularick

University of Bonn - Department of Economics ( email )

Bonn
Germany

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Paul Wachtel

New York University - Stern School of Business ( email )

44 West 4th St.
New York, NY 10012
United States
212-998-4030 (Phone)
212-995-4218 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.stern.nyu.edu/~pwachtel

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