BANKING LEVERAGE, CREDIT INDICATORS, CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH THEIR IMPLICATIONS IN TURKEY (1999-2013)

The influence of credit indicators, such as Banking Leverage, Credit Growth Rate, Credit/Deposit and Non-performing Loans Ratios over growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Current Account Balance are both very substantial and argumentative matters for financial economics literature. In this study, the importance of these credit indicators over two main parameters of macroeconomic environment is analyzed. According to the analysis results, credit indicators are more influential and show more causality over current account balance than GDP. On the other hand Banking Leverage is more influential and shows more causality over current account balance and GDP than other credit indicators. As for policy implications, our findings implies that banking leverage is more effective regulation and policy tool as macro prudential measures and targets in order to sustain financial stability than other credit indicators. Keywords: Credit Indicators, Credit Growth, Banking Leverage, GDP Growth, Current Account Balance