• sandalbucket@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    It’s called “Fractional Reserve Banking”. The bank only needs to have about 10% of a loan on hand.

    If a bank has $100, they can write a loan for $1,000; effectively putting $900 more into circulation. When that is spent, it gets deposited into a bank, which can then loan it out amplified again.

    This could create infinite money, as I understand it. Since there is not infinite money, there must be a gap in my understanding somewhere.

    • Hanrahan@slrpnk.net
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      2 days ago

      If a bank has $100, they can write a loan for $1,000; effectively putting $900 more into circulation. When that is spent, it gets deposited into a bank, which can then loan it out amplified again.

      Since there is not infinite money, there must be a gap in my understanding somewhere.

      While this is true, the only “new money” created in that loan is the interest becase the capital is paid back , albeit over decades.

    • geissi
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      3 days ago

      Afaik some countries have dropped reserve requirements altogether.
      Loans can be given out as long as the recipient is credit worthy.