Washington has successfully concluded its debt ceiling high-wire act. The next test is whether the US financial system can survive after the applause dies down.
The US Treasury, seeking to replenish its cash balance, may borrow nearly $1tn in the form of issuing short-dated Treasury bills in the next few months. How easily that flood of debt can be absorbed depends on how high coupons must climb to attract buyers. Those seeking higher risk-free returns, among them bank depositors, suddenly have more options.
Depositors have this year received lots of attention. Earlier in 2023 they pulled cash from financial institutions such as Silicon Valley Bank, fearing failures. Later they opted for higher returns, usually by shifting their funds into money market accounts.