The impact of financial development on income convergence: An application of two exogenous growth models

The literature has established that financial institutions and financial markets have a significant impact on economic growth. The present paper seeks to determine whether they increase the speed of convergence towards the steady-state income. If so, then financial development is a convergence factor in addition to being a growth factor. To carry out our study, we employ the growth model of Ramsey-Cass-Koopman as well as that of Diamond. The RCK model predicts financial development positively affects the speed of convergence while the Diamond model predicts only a level effect. Our empirical analysis supports the prediction of the RCK model.