Assessing the Impact of US Monetary Policy on Foreign Currency Debt and Credit Growth in Emerging Markets During the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the impact of US monetary policy on external debt and credit growth in emerging market economies (EMEs) during the COVID-19 period. Using quarterly data from 13 EMEs and employing a panel autoregressive methodology, the study reveals the following key findings: First, global monetary policy plays a vital role in determining external debt and credit availability in EMEs during the COVID-19 period. Second, the global monetary expansion during the COVID-19 crisis led to the accumulation of external debt through the risk-taking channel of the exchange rate. Third, weak domestic monetary policy transmission hinders the stabilization of credit growth. The empirical findings suggest that the central bankers to choose an optimum policy mix to stabilize the economy during crisis.