Optimal macroprudential and fiscal policy in a monetary union

Abstract

The link between the financial system, economic activity, and fiscal sustainability is increasingly evident, making the joint study of fiscal and macroprudential measures a promising area to investigate. This paper provides a novel analysis of the coordination of optimal fiscal and macroprudential policies regarding welfare maximization through a two-country model for a monetary union. I find that the advisability to coordinate macroprudential and fiscal policy depends on the kind of shock that hits the economy. After financial shocks, macroprudential-fiscal coordination at the national level entails the greatest welfare improvements. Under supply and demand shocks, the best option regarding welfare implies macroprudential-fiscal coordination to stabilize union aggregate variables.