The impact of macroprudential policies on the transmission of shocks across financially integrated countries

Abstract

We study the implications of macroprudential policies across countries on the transmission of shocks when international investment activities are allowed. In a two‐country dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model in which international investors are borrowing constrained and pledge international assets, we introduce a time‐varying loan‐to‐value (LTV) ratio that adjusts to the variation of three different financial vulnerability indicators. We examine the effect of these policies on negative productivity and borrowing capacity shocks. Although time‐varying LTV ratios reduce the international propagation of the productivity shock, their response to the shock depends on the financial vulnerability indicator with which the LTV ratio changes. With a productivity shock, the adjustment of the LTV ratio to the deviation of credit or asset price helps to reverse the negative impact of the shock. With a financial shock, LTV ratios varying with a deviation of credit‐to‐GDP ratio or aggregate credit can mitigate the impact of a negative financial shock. Adjustment of the LTV ratios reduces the fluctuation of international investors' balance sheets, investment, and productivity. We find that countries improve their welfare when time‐varying LTV ratios are in place. The magnitude of the welfare gain differs with both the financial vulnerability indicator and the shock.