Title : Transactions , Credit , and Central Banking in a Model of Segmented Markets

Author: Stephen D. Williamson1 Affiliations: Department of Economics, Washington University in St. Louis; Richmond Federal Reserve Bank; St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank Correspondence: Department of Economics, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus Box 1208, St. Louis, MO 63130; [email protected]; Phone 314-935-9283; Fax 314-935-4156 Abstract:A segmented markets model is constructed in which transactions are conducted using credit and currency. Goods market segmentation plays an important role, in addition to the role played by conventional segmentation of asset markets. An important novelty of the paper is to show how the nonneutralities of money and their persistence depend on the nature of goods market transactions and on the arrangements for clearing and settlement of consumer credit. The model permits open market operations, daylight overdrafts, reserve-holding, and overnight lending and borrowing, allowing the consideration of a rich array of central banking arrangements and their implications.