Liquidity Trap (Definition, Examples)

What is Liquidity Trap?

The liquidity trap is a scenario where the interest rates fall and yet the rate of savings goes high, which tends to bring about ineffectiveness to the objective of expansionary monetary policy to increase the money supply. In this situation, people prefer holding cash rather than bearing a debt leading to virtual omission of liquidity from the market.

Causes of the Liquidity Trap

The liquidity trap is generally seen after a recessionary period. People are generally in a savings tendency during those times and prefer to hold cash rather than taking debt.
It basically occurs when even though there is a supply of money in the market it fails to increase the amount of spending and investment.
There is a situation of very low-interest rates in the market and even though policymakers want common people to hold illiquid assets by increasing the supply of money, the scenario fails to attract consumers.

Example of the Liquidity Trap

A classic example of liquidity trap can be the global recession which the US faced during the period of 2008-10. When the economy failed as whole central banks in the united states adapted to almost zero interest rate short term lending policy to enhance the liquidity in the market since people were holding their cash close to themselves fearing the global depression.

Even though the monetary base was tripled during those times but even lending as such interest rates did not produce any significant results on the domestic price indices or the economy as a whole thus creating a liquidity trap.

Top 5 Reasons for the Liquidity Trap

#1 – Affinity towards Saving

Generally, during the recessionary period, people tend to hold cash close to them. This habit increases the saving rate but decreases the spending rate. On account of being pessimistic about future conditions, they use this policy as a safety measure. Furthermore, banks are also reluctant to lend even after cutting the base rate as close to zero, the effect does not get translated to other lower commercial banks.

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#2 – Deflation Expectation

If consumers expect a fall in prices the real rate of interest can climb high even though the nominal rate is close to zero. The difficulty is the creation of a negative nominal interest rate i.e. a rare condition where banks would pay us to borrow us so that the spending increases.

#3 – Credit Crunch

Banks become reluctant to lend during those phases even if consumers want to take advantage of the low rate of interest because they already suffer a huge loss in buying back defaulted debts and thus move into a stage of cleaning their balance sheet.

#4 – Decline in Demand of Bonds

During phases of a liquidity trap, interest rates go down to almost zero with the hope that it will rise after a period. When the rate of interest goes high again the price of bond falls. Thus, investors feel that it is preferable to hold cash than bonds.

#5 – Demand for Investment Goes Down

Firms do not find lower interest rates appealing because during this phase the firms don’t prefer to invest because the demand stands very low.

Advantages of the Liquidity Trap

It creates a market of cheap borrowing option and thus this can be phase to avail cheap loans for borrowing.
It forces the policymakers to audit existing monetary policies and come out with newer ideas to match the current scenario.
It inculcates the habit of saving among consumers.

Disadvantages of the Liquidity Trap

The liquidity trap generally occurs after a recession. This can further enhance the problem of recession even further unintentionally rather than solving it.
The phase is such that the central bank loses one of its prime powers to tweak the economy with the interest rate factor and stimulate growth.
The risk of coming out of the liquidity trap is inflation which follows it. Dues to too much money available in the economy.
It gives rise to unemployment as companies adapt to layoffs costly resources and hire other resources at cheaper prices. It also declines to the lowering down of wages where people are further forced to compromise with goods and services.
When interest rates go abnormally low, banks lack deposit base their income from loans is not that encouraging. Thus, they become reluctant to give loans.
Insurance companies are greatly affected because of low-interest rates. They rely on interest-based returns on the sum they receive from their customers as premiums to cover the liabilities which further may lead to an increase in insurance premiums.

Important Points

The nominal rate close to zero gives rise to the liquidity trap.
Recession or global depression is the prime reason for the liquidity trap.
Monetary policy becomes ineffective.
The unemployment rate rises with basic wages coming down.

Conclusion

A liquidity trap takes place when people curtail their spending habits and go on a saving mode or invest even when interest rates are low. The central bank fails to boost the national economy because on account of the lack of demand. If it is not controlled initially it can lead to deflation. One key example of the liquidity trap is Japan’s national economy.