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Quarter-End Effects in Banks: Preferred Habitat or Window Dressing?

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Abstract

Allen and Saunders [Allen, A., and A. Saunders. “Bank Window Dressing: Theory and Evidence.” Journal of Banking and Finance 16 (1992), 583–623.] document abnormal behavior of bank assets and liabilities at the turn-of-the-quarter and attribute it to window dressing by banks. Using different methods we re-visit bank turn-of-the-quarter balance sheet activity. We also examine quarter-end changes in the effective fed funds rates and fed funds rate standard deviations. We confirm the presence of turn-of-the-quarter activity on bank balance sheets and in the fed funds market. However, we conclude that the turn-of-the-quarter effects are more consistent with customer preferred habitats than window dressing.

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Correspondence to Drew B. Winters.

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Kotomin, V., Winters, D.B. Quarter-End Effects in Banks: Preferred Habitat or Window Dressing?. J Finan Serv Res 29, 61–82 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10693-005-5108-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10693-005-5108-1

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