Finance and Economics Discussion Series (FEDS)
March 2017
Private and Public Liquidity Provision in Over-the-Counter Markets
David M. Arseneau, David E. Rappoport, and Alexandros P. Vardoulakis
Abstract:
We show that trade frictions in OTC markets result in inefficient private liquidity provision. We develop a dynamic model of market-based financial intermediation with a two-way interaction between primary credit markets and secondary OTC markets. Private allocations are generically inefficient because investors and firms fail to internalize how their actions affect liquidity in secondary markets. This inefficiency can lead to liquidity that is suboptimally low or high compared to the second best. Our analysis provides a rationale for the regulation and public provision of liquidity and the effect of quantitative easing or tightening on capital markets and investment.
Accessible materials (.zip)
Keywords: Liquidity provision, OTC, market liquidity, monetary policy normalization, over-the-counter markets, quantitative easing, quantitative tightening
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17016/FEDS.2017.033
PDF: Full Paper