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THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF CENTRAL AND COMMERCIAL BANKING
by Karl R. Bopp
Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
before the
Executive Conference on Coordination and Policy Formation
sponsored by the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce,
University of Pennsylvania
June 18-29- 1951> Philadelphia, Pa.
(KRB-June 21, 1951)

(Below is small outline made by KRB before going to meeting;
attached is outline sent in advance for use in program)

Who takes initiative for changes in volume of money and
how is volume adjusted to 1
1needs” of economy?

1.
2.

Gold standard - miners - theory of equilibrium
Productive credit - commercial banks - with central
banks controlling thru rate
-

3.
4.

bank reserves

Stable prices - central bank thru open market
The Great Depression - Full employment central bank + Government deficit or surplus
Low rates - Generalization of credit institutions

5.

Stable Government bonds - interest rates any holder of securities

Role played by commercial banks in distributing life
blood of industry




)
)
)
)

reserve
requirements to
absorb
excess
selective
controls

THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF CENTRAL AND COMMERCIAL BANKING

Preliminary Statement

II.

A.

The central bank regulates the supply, availability,
and cost of money and bank reserves

B.

The commercial banks distribute available credit
among prospective borrowers

C.

Qualifications

Alternative Objectives and Related Central Banking Policies
A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

III.
IV.

Convertibility
1.

Expansion permitted when gold holdings
are high and/or rising

2.

Contraction called for when gold holdings
are low and/or declining

"Productive credit”
1.

Expansion called for when monetary volume
of "real bills” is expanding

2.

Contraction called for when monetary volume
of Hreal bills" is decreasing

Stable prices
1.

Expansion called for when prices are declining

2.

Contraction called for when prices are rising

"Full employment"
1.

Expansion called for when there is less
than full employment

2.

Contraction permitted when jobs are in
excess of workers

Supporting government finance
1.

Expansion called for when the Government is unable
to secure all the funds it wishes at market rates

2.

Contraction permitted when the Government is able
to secure more funds than it wishes at market rates

Commercial Banks and Decentralized Distribution of Credit

Recent Develomerit s in Central and Commercial Banking