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Title
Asymmetric behavior of Australia's Big-4 banks in the mortgage market
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Worthington, Andrew
Publication Date
2014
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Abstract
This paper presents an alternative framework for modeling the behavior of banks in setting lending and/or saving rates. In a short-run dynamic model, we correct for deviations from the long-run path using three feedback coefficients capturing different disequilibria. This enables us to test for both amount and adjustment asymmetries by considering the size and direction of any deviations.We use this model to examine the relationship between the official cash rate (set by the Reserve Bank of Australia as a monetary policy tool) and the standard variable mortgage rates of Australian Big-4 banks using weekly data from 2001 to 2012. The evidence indicates both types of asymmetries along with synchronized rate-setting behavior. Overall, the banks immediately pass on 120% of any rate rise, but only 85% of any rate cut. Further, when mortgage rates are substantially above the equilibriumpath, we find no significant attempt to lower rates, but faster adjustment when rates are below equilibrium values. This finding has important implications for the RBA's monetary policy transmission mechanism and the effectiveness of the expansionary versus contractionary policy.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Economic Modelling, v.43, p. 57-66
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Place of Publication
Netherlands
ISSN
1873-6122
0264-9993
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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