Working Paper: NBER ID: w24171
Authors: Maryam Farboodi; Gregor Jarosch; Guido Menzio
Abstract: We propose a theory of intermediation as rent extraction, and explore its implications for the extent of intermediation, welfare and policy. A frictional asset market is populated by agents who are heterogeneous with respect to their bargaining skills, as some can commit to take-it-or-leave-it offers and others cannot. In equilibrium, agents with commitment power act as intermediaries and those without act as final users. Agents with commitment trade on behalf of agents without commitment to extract more rents from third parties. If agents can invest in a commitment technology, there are multiple equilibria differing in the fraction of intermediaries. Equilibria with more intermediaries have lower welfare and any equilibrium with intermediation is inefficient. Intermediation grows as trading frictions become small and during times when interest rates are low. A simple transaction tax can restore efficiency by eliminating any scope for bargaining.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: D40
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| commitment power (D70) | intermediation (G00) |
| intermediation (G00) | rent extraction (H13) |
| commitment power (D70) | rent extraction (H13) |
| intermediation (G00) | asset allocation (G11) |
| trading frictions (F12) | intermediation (G00) |
| intermediation (G00) | welfare (I38) |
| transaction tax (F38) | efficiency (D61) |
| transaction tax (F38) | incentive for commitment technology (O31) |