Macro Finance

Research in the Macro Finance department focuses on the interaction between financial markets, credit institutions, and the macroeconomy. Changes in credit conditions can shape the allocation of capital in the economy and thus affect investment, consumption, and economic growth. These interactions can amplify economic fluctuations and, in times of stress, contribute to financial crises with far-reaching consequences for firms, households, and governments. The key question is: What should a financial system look like that can help achieve societal goals, such as an increase in living standards, while avoiding financial crises? The department’s work combines macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives, often constructing novel datasets that also benefit the public at large. The goal is to ultimately better understand how financial markets interact with the real economy and to inform policy decisions.