Prelims 2019 · Economy · Question 30
The money multiplier in an economy increases with which one of the following?
Answer
Increase in the banking habit of the population
- (a) Increase in the cash reserve ratio: Higher CRR means banks must keep more deposits with RBI, leaving less for lending. Money multiplier falls. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (b) Increase in the banking habit of the population: When people deposit more money in banks and hold less cash, banks can create more credit. Money multiplier rises. Verdict: Correct.
- (c) Increase in the statutory liquidity ratio: Higher SLR forces banks to keep more funds in liquid assets, reducing lendable resources. Money multiplier falls. Verdict: Incorrect.
- (d) Increase in the population of the country: Population increase by itself does not mechanically raise the money multiplier; it depends on currency-deposit behavior and reserve ratios. Verdict: Incorrect.