Credit crunches as markov equilibria

We explain the large observed volatility of commercial and industrial loans as a Markov equilibrium of an economy with limited commitment in which all credit is unsecured and self-enforcing. Aggregate income growth shocks affect gains from future asset market trading, inducing fluctuations in credit limits. The economy alternates between a high state of well diversified idiosyncratic risks and a “credit crunch” state of low debt limits and poor diversification.