Working with the Loanable Funds Market Draw the market for loanable funds and graph the supply and demand for each of the following scenarios. Draw the shift occurring (Supply or Demand) and explain what happens to the equilibrium interest rate in each case because of the shift: 1. A breakthrough in medical technology results in many hospitals wanting to buy new equipment. 2. The government budget deficit is reduced by
. 3. Foreign investors buy residential property in the United States. 4. People around the world are worried about financial stability in their countries and choose to move their wealth to U.S. financial markets.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Let’s go through each scenario and explain the effects on the loanable funds market.
1. Breakthrough in Medical Technology
When a breakthrough in medical technology results in many hospitals wanting to buy new equipment, this will increase the demand for loanable funds. Hospitals will need more capital to finance their purchases, leading to greater demand for loans.
- Demand Curve Shift: The demand curve for loanable funds will shift to the right.
- Effect on Interest Rate: As the demand for loanable funds increases, the equilibrium interest rate will rise. Lenders will demand a higher rate of return for their loans due to the increased demand for funds.
2. Government Budget Deficit is Reduced
When the government reduces its budget deficit, it is borrowing less from the loanable funds market. This will decrease the demand for loanable funds since the government needs fewer funds for its expenditures.
- Demand Curve Shift: The demand curve for loanable funds shifts to the left.
- Effect on Interest Rate: With less government borrowing, the equilibrium interest rate will fall. This is because the supply of funds remains unchanged while the demand decreases, leading to a lower price for borrowing (interest rate).
3. Foreign Investors Buy Residential Property in the U.S.
When foreign investors buy residential property in the United States, this action involves increased capital inflows into the country. Foreign investors typically convert their currency into U.S. dollars to make these investments, which increases the supply of loanable funds in U.S. financial markets.
- Supply Curve Shift: The supply curve for loanable funds shifts to the right, as the influx of capital from foreign investors increases the amount of funds available to be lent.
- Effect on Interest Rate: An increase in the supply of loanable funds leads to a decrease in the equilibrium interest rate, as lenders now have more funds to offer and therefore are willing to lend at a lower rate.
4. Global Financial Instability Leads to Capital Inflows to the U.S.
If people around the world are worried about financial stability and choose to move their wealth to U.S. financial markets, it also leads to increased capital inflows into the U.S., which increases the supply of loanable funds.
- Supply Curve Shift: The supply curve shifts to the right due to the higher capital inflow from global investors seeking safety.
- Effect on Interest Rate: The increased supply of loanable funds causes the equilibrium interest rate to fall, as more funds are available for lending, making borrowing cheaper.
Graph Explanation:
- The x-axis represents the quantity of loanable funds, and the y-axis represents the interest rate.
- The demand curve (D) slopes downward, reflecting that as interest rates fall, the quantity of loanable funds demanded increases.
- The supply curve (S) slopes upward, showing that as interest rates rise, the quantity of loanable funds supplied increases.
For each scenario:
- A rightward shift of the demand curve increases the interest rate.
- A rightward shift of the supply curve decreases the interest rate.
These shifts explain how changes in borrowing needs or capital flows can influence the cost of borrowing (interest rates).
