Full-Reserve Banking Versus Fractional-Reserve Banking:
Economists are engaged in a debate regarding Full-Reserve Banking (100% reserve banking) versus Fractional-Reserve Banking.
- While both systems have their proponents and critics, understanding the key differences between them is crucial in assessing their potential impact on economic growth and financial stability.
Full-Reserve Banking:
- Under full-reserve banking, banks are strictly prohibited from lending out demand deposits received from customers reducing the risk of bank runs.
- Instead, they must always hold 100% of these deposits in their vaults, acting merely as custodians.
- Banks serve as safekeepers of depositors’ money, charging fees for this service.
- Banks can only lend money received as time deposits.
Fractional-reserve banking
- This system, currently in practice, allows banks to lend more money than the cash they hold in their vaults.
- This system relies heavily on electronic money for lending.
- Bank runs are a potential risk if many depositors simultaneously demand cash.
- However, central banks can provide emergency cash to avert immediate crises.
