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When the banks create the money, they don't create the…

“When the banks create the money, they don't create the interest. They send you into the world to compete with everybody else to get the second $100,000 that never was created and bring it back to them. So if we're in a world with zero-growth population, goods, services, and money, the problem…” quote by Bernard Lietaer
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“When the banks create the money, they don't create the interest. They send you into the world to compete with everybody else to get the second $100,000 that never was created and bring it back to them. So if we're in a world with zero-growth population, goods, services, and money, the problem would be obvious.”

Bernard Lietaer

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote highlights that banks generate money but not the interest they charge, forcing individuals to compete for limited resources, especially problematic in a stagnant economy.

In simple terms: Banks make money, not interest; competition for scarce wealth.

Key Takeaway

Recognize hidden costs of debt and seek sustainable finance.

Themes

economics finance inequality growth competition

Mood

critical concerned

Type

analytical informative

When to use this quote

  • personal budgeting
  • investment decisions
  • policy advocacy
  • education on finance
  • community lending

Key Concepts

Monetary policy interest rates zero‑growth economy resource scarcity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does interest creation affect wealth distribution?
  • What alternatives could reduce competitive pressure for scarce resources?
A Different Perspective

It assumes all banks behave identically and ignores alternative monetary models.

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