Understanding Dollarization: Causes and Impact of Partial Dollarization on Developing and Emerging Markets

A very commonly observed phenomenon in developing and emerging market economies is the use of another country's currency (US dollar or other) in lieu or in addition to the local currency. Governments in these countries have been encouraging dollarization for years by allowing their citizens to save and borrow from local banks in foreign currency, posing risks to the health and stability of their banking systems.