The credit channel of monetary policy: Evidence from the housing market

This paper tests a credit channel of monetary policy (especially a bank-lending channel) in the housing market. We argue that the relevance of the credit channel depends on the structural features of the housing finance system, in particular efficiency and institutional organisation. We employ a VAR approach to analyse this issue in four housing markets (Finland, Germany, Norway and the UK). Our findings show across countries a clear-cut relationship between presence of the credit channel, efficiency of housing finance and type of institutions active in mortgage provision.