We empirically test early monetary theories in which reserve creation plays a crucial role in the transmission of quantitative easing (QE). Analyzing the unprecedented injection of reserves across several Federal Reserve QE programs, we demonstrate a causal effect of bank-level reserve...

We empirically assess the effect of reserve accumulation as a result of quantitative easing (QE) on bank-level lending and risk taking activity. To overcome the endogeneity of bank-level reserve holdings to banks' other portfolio decisions, we employ instruments made available by a regulatory...