The Dollar, Bank Leverage, and Deviations from Covered Interest Parity

Abstract

We document a triangular relationship in that a stronger dollar goes hand in hand with larger deviations from covered interest parity (CIP) and contractions of cross-border bank lending in dollars. We argue that underpinning the triangle is the role of the dollar as a key barometer of risk-taking capacity in global capital markets. (JEL F23, F31, G15, G21)