(2020): A Richmond Fed Economic Brief that explains how stigma undermines the Fed's role as the "lender of last resort". Quick Definition: The Discount Window Discount Window Stigma After the Global Financial Crisis
Despite Fed efforts to encourage usage, the DW remains heavily stigmatized. discount window treatment
(2024): Explores why banks use the window outside of crises, noting that smaller banks with illiquid portfolios are the most frequent users. (2020): A Richmond Fed Economic Brief that explains
Banks often choose to pay high premiums (e.g., 13–44 basis points above the DW rate) to borrow from private markets rather than use the Fed, simply to avoid appearing financially weak. discount window treatment
Stigma surfaced eight months before the 2023 regional banking crisis and has not significantly subsided since. Other Key Research Papers