The effects of taxing bank transactions on bank credit and industrial growth: Evidence from Latin America

Abstract This paper studies the bank credit and industry growth effects stemming from the introduction of a tax on bank debits. Using a sample of Latin American countries that implemented this tax at different times between 1986 and 2005, I exploit a key channel through which this levy affects the supply of credit: it creates a strong incentive to shift away from holding deposits and into using cash and other quasi-currencies. I find that taxing bank transactions has a significant negative effect on economic growth, mainly by reducing the growth prospects of industries that are more susceptible to financing frictions.