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on Central Banking |
| By: | Afanasyeva, Elena; Guentner, Jochen |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the risk-taking channel of monetary policy on the asset side of banks' balance sheets. We use a factor-augmented vector autoregression (FAVAR) model to show that aggregate lending standards of U.S. banks, e.g. their collateral requirements for firms, are significantly loosened in response to an unexpected decrease in the Federal Funds rate. Based on this evidence, we reformulate the costly state verification (CSV) contract, embed it in a dynamic general equilibrium model, and show that - consistent with our empirical finding - a monetary easing implies an expansion of bank lending for a given amount of borrower collateral. The model also predicts a delayed increase in borrowers' default risk. |
| JEL: | E44 E52 E32 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100436&r=cba |
| By: | Lucas, Robert E. (University of Chicago); Nicolini, Juan Pablo (Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis) |
| Abstract: | We show that regulatory changes that occurred in the banking sector in the early eighties, which considerably weakened Regulation Q, can explain the apparent instability of money demand during the same period. We evaluate the effects of the regulatory changes using a model that goes beyond aggregates as M1 and treats currency and different deposit types as alternative means of payments. We use the model to construct a new monetary aggregate that performs remarkably well for the entire period 1915-2012. |
| Keywords: | Money demand; Monetary base |
| JEL: | E40 E41 |
| Date: | 2015–02–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedmwp:718&r=cba |
| By: | Lang, Michael; Schröder, Michael |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the treatment of sovereign debt exposure within the Basel framework and measures the impact of bank regulation on the demand of Monetary Financial Institutions (MFI) for marketable sovereign debt. Our results suggest that bank regulation has a significant positive impact on MFI demand for domestic government securities. The results are representative for the MFI in the euro zone. They remain highly robust and significant after controlling for other influential factors and potential endogeneity. |
| Keywords: | Monetary Financial Institutions,Financial sector regulation,Sovereign bond holdings,Investment incentives |
| JEL: | G11 G21 G28 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:fsfmwp:215&r=cba |
| By: | Hartmann, Matthias; Conrad, Christian |
| Abstract: | In this study, we examine how the interaction between monetary policy and macroeconomic conditions affects inflation uncertainty in the long-term. The unobservable inflation uncertainty is quantified by means of the slowly evolving unconditional variance component of inflation in the framework of the semiparametric Spline-GARCH model (Engle and Rangel, 2008). For a cross section of 13 developed economies, we find that long-term inflation uncertainty is high if central bank governors are perceived as less inflation-averse, if the conduct of monetary policy is rather ad-hoc than rule-based and in economies with a low degree of central bank independence. |
| JEL: | E58 E65 E31 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100477&r=cba |
| By: | YuichiroWaki (University of Queensland); Richard Dennis (University of Glasgow); Ippei Fujiwara (Keio University/ANU) |
| Abstract: | This paper considers the optimal degree of discretion in monetary policy when the central bank conducts policy based on its private information about the state of the economy and is unable to commit. Society seeks to maximize social welfare by imposing restrictions on the central bank's actions over time, and the central bank takes these restrictions and the New Keynesian Phillips curve as constraints. By solving a dynamic mechanism design problem we find that it is optimal to grant "constrained discretion" to the central bank by imposing both upper and lower bounds on permissible inflation, and that these bounds must be set in a history-dependent way. The optimal degree of discretion varies over time with the severity of the time-inconsistency problem, and, although no discretion is optimal when the time-inconsistency problem is very severe, our numerical experiment suggests that no-discretion is a transient phenomenon, and that some discretion is granted eventually. |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:upd:utppwp:044&r=cba |
| By: | Burgert, Matthias; Schmidt, Sebastian |
| Abstract: | How does the need to preserve government debt sustainability affect the optimal monetary and fiscal policy response to a liquidity trap? To provide an answer, we employ a small stochastic New Keynesian model with a zero bound on nominal interest rates and characterize optimal time-consistent stabilization policies. We focus on two policy tools, the short-term nominal interest rate and debt-financed government spending. The optimal policy response to a liquidity trap critically depends on the prevailing debt burden. In our model, while the optimal amount of government spending is decreasing in the level of outstanding government debt, future monetary policy is becoming more accommodative, triggering a change in private sector expectations that helps to dampen the fall in output and inflation at the outset of the liquidity trap. |
| JEL: | E31 E63 D11 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100451&r=cba |
| By: | Behn, Markus; Haselmann, Rainer; Vig, Vikrant |
| Abstract: | Model-based capital regulation is considered to be one of the key innovations of Basel II. The objective of this innovation was to make capital charges more sensitive to risk. Using data from the German credit register, and employing a difference-indifference identification strategy, we empirically investigate how the introduction of this regulation affected the quantity and the composition of bank lending. We find that credit supplied by banks that introduced the model-based approach exhibits a higher sensitivity to model-based PDs as compared with credit supplied by banks that remained under the traditional approach. Interestingly, however, we find that risk models used for regulatory purposes tend to underpredict actual default rates. There is no such prediction error in PDs for loans under the traditional approach. |
| JEL: | G01 G28 G21 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100430&r=cba |
| By: | Hürtgen, Patrick; Cloyne, James |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates the effects of monetary policy on the UK economy based on a new, extensive real-time forecast data set. Employing the Romer Romer identification approach we first construct a new measure of monetary policy innovations for the UK economy. We find that a one percentage point increase in the policy rate reduces output by up to 0.6 per cent and inflation by up to 1.0 percentage point after two to three years. Our approach resolves the price puzzle for the UK and we show that forecasts are crucial for this result. Finally, we show that the response of policy after the initial innovation is crucial for interpreting estimates of the effect of monetary policy. We can then reconcile differences across empirical specifications, with the wider VAR literature and between our UK results and the larger narrative estimates for the US. |
| JEL: | E31 E32 E58 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100304&r=cba |
| By: | Neuenkirch, Matthias; Tillmann, Peter |
| Abstract: | The personalities of central bankers moved center stage during the recent financial crisis. Some central bankers even gained "superstar" status. In this paper, we evaluate the pivotal role of superstar central bankers by assessing the difference an outstanding governor makes to economic performance. We employ school grades given to central bankers by the financial press. A superstar central banker is one receiving the top grade. In a probit estimation we first relate the grades to measures of economic performance, institutional features, and personal characteristics. We then employ a nearest neighbor matching approach to identify the central bankers which are closest to those receiving the top grade and compare the economic performance across both groups. The results suggest that a superstar governor indeed matters: a top-graded central banker faces a significantly more favorable output-inflation trade-off than his peers. |
| JEL: | E52 E58 E50 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100489&r=cba |
| By: | Mauricio Villamizar-Villegas; David Perez-Reyna |
| Abstract: | In this paper we survey prominent theories that have shaped the literature on sterilized foreign exchange interventions. We identify three main strands of literature: 1) that which advocates the use of sterilized interventions; 2) that which deems sterilized interventions futile; and 3) that which requires some market friction in order for sterilized interventions to be effective. We contribute to the literature in three important ways. First, by reviewing new theoretical models that have surfaced within the last decade. Second, by further penetrating into the theory of interventions in order to analyze the key features that make each model distinct. And third, by only focusing on sterilized operations, which allows us to sidestep the effects induced by changes in the stock of money supply. Additionally, the models that we present comprise both a macro and micro-structure approach so as to provide a comprehensive view of the theory behind exchange rate intervention. |
| Keywords: | Sterilized foreign exchange intervention, impossible trinity, portfolio balance channel, signaling channel, uncovered interest rate parity. |
| JEL: | E52 E58 F31 |
| Date: | 2015–01–16 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000094:012424&r=cba |
| By: | Bauer, Christian; Ernstberger, Philip |
| Abstract: | We apply an in nite horizon intertemporal optimization model to a simple speculative attack framework. Thereby, the central bank faces a one control two-state variables optimization problem with endogenuous exit. By setting the interest rate the central bank can stimulate the economy or fend o speculators. We show that two focal points emerge. Depending on the time preference and the state, cycles can improve utility. A regime change is associated with costs and can be forced by the state of the economy or induced by choice. In the latter case the costs for defending outweigh the costs of an immediate opt-out. During the existence of the regime the highest growth is reached through convergence to a no stress steady state, but is only optimal for a central bank with low time preference. Therefore, we propose to take measures assuring a lower time preference like independence, long-term mandates, and long-term policy goals. |
| JEL: | E58 F30 C61 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100300&r=cba |
| By: | Ishaq, Tahira; Mohsin, Dr Hassan |
| Abstract: | Institutions are important for the analysis of the association between the deficits and inflation. This study used central bank independence and financial markets as institutional variables to investigate whether deficits are inflationary or not in the presence of dependent central bank and fragile financial markets. Panel dataset has been used for eleven Asian economies from 1981 to 2010. Empirical results suggests deficits are inflationary for Asian economies but budget deficits are particularly stronger candidates for inflationary pressure when financial markets are not fully developed and central banks are not free in followings goals and objectives under political pressure in financing the deficits. |
| Keywords: | fiscal deficits; inflation; institutions; central bank independence; financial markets development. |
| JEL: | E31 E50 H6 H60 |
| Date: | 2014–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:61939&r=cba |
| By: | Neuenkirch, Edith; Hayo, Bernd |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we analyse the effects of objective and subjective knowledge about monetary policy, as well as the information search patterns, of German citizens on trust in the ECB. We rely on a unique representative public opinion survey of German households conducted in 2011. We find that subjective and factual knowledge, as well as the desire to be informed, about the ECB foster citizens trust. Specific knowledge about the ECB is more influential than general monetary policy knowledge. Objective knowledge is more important than subjective knowledge. However, an increasing intensity of media usage, especially newspaper reading, has a significantly negative influence on trust. We conclude that the only viable way for the ECB to generate more trust in itself is to spread monetary policy knowledge. |
| JEL: | D83 E52 E58 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100312&r=cba |
| By: | Wollmershäuser, Timo; Hristov, Nikolay; Hülsewig, Oliver; Siemsen, Thomas |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the potential effectiveness of the ECB s Outright Monetary Transaction (OMT) program in safeguarding an appropriate monetary policy transmission. Since the program aims at manipulating bank lending rates by conducting sovereign bond purchases on secondary markets, a stable relationship between bank lending rates and government bond rates is of prime importance. Using vector autoregressive models with time varying parameters (TVP VAR) we evaluate the stability of this relationship by focusing on the reaction of bank lending rates to movements in government bond rates over the period 2003 2013. Our results suggest that the potential success of OMTs in restoring the monetary transmission mechanism is limited as the link between bank lending rates and government bond rates has substantially weakened since the end of 2008. |
| JEL: | E42 E43 E58 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100280&r=cba |
| By: | Illing, Gerhard; Siemsen, Thomas |
| Abstract: | In this paper we present a simple framework to model central bank forward guidance in a liquidity trap. We analyze the role of long-run and short-run price stickiness under discretion and commitment in a straightforward and intuitive way. Despite the impact of price rigidity on welfare being non-linear, losses under discretion are lowest with perfectly flexible prices. We show why the zero lower bound may still be binding even long after the shock has gone and characterize conditions when a commitment to hold nominal rates at zero for an extended period is optimal. We then introduce government spending and show that under persistently low policy rates optimal government spending becomes more front-loaded, while pro-cyclical austerity fares worse than discretionary government spending. |
| JEL: | E40 E52 E58 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100346&r=cba |
| By: | Rosengren, Eric S. (Federal Reserve Bank of Boston) |
| Abstract: | Remarks by Eric S. Rosengren, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, to the Wisconsin Bankers Association's 2015 Wisconsin Economic Forecast Luncheon, Madison, Wisconsin, January 8, 2015. |
| Date: | 2015–01–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedbsp:92&r=cba |
| By: | Ernesto Pastén |
| Abstract: | Could prudential policies backfire by making the lack of commitment problem of bailouts worse? This commitment problem refers to the excessive risk taken by banks and financial institutions in expectations of bailouts if crises occur, which in turn increase financial fragility and the severity of crises. Ex-ante policies, such as prudential policies, have a variety of effects on the various components of the ex-post incentives of an authority to implementing a bailout. Thus, the interaction between prudential policies and bailouts is delicate: In different conditions, a given prudential policy may backfire or increase its effectiveness by worsening or alleviating the lack of commitment problem of bailouts. Liquidity requirements and prudential taxes are examples of prudential policies that may backfire. Public debt is an example of an ex-ante policy usually with no prudential motivation that may play such a role. |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:chb:bcchwp:743&r=cba |
| By: | Joscha Beckmann; Ansgar Belke; Christian Dreger |
| Abstract: | Deviations of policy interest rates from the levels implied by the Taylor rule have been persistent before the financial crisis and increased especially after the turn of the century. Compared to the Taylor benchmark, policy rates were often too low. This paper provides evidence that both international spillovers, among them dependencies in the interest rate setting of central banks, and nonlinear reaction patterns can offer a more realistic specification of the Taylor rule of four major central banks. |
| Keywords: | Taylor rule, international spillovers, monetary policy interaction, smooth transition models |
| JEL: | E43 F36 C22 |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wsr:wpaper:y:2015:i:140&r=cba |
| By: | Lannoo, Karel |
| Abstract: | With publication of the results of its Comprehensive Assessment at the end of October 2014, the European Central Bank has set the standard for its new mandate as supervisor. But this was only the beginning. The heavy work started in early November, with the day-to-day supervision of the 120 most significant banks in the eurozone under the Single Supervisory Mechanism. The centralisation of the supervision in the eurozone will pose a number of challenges for the ECB in the coming months and years ahead. This report analyses these challenges in detail, drawing on the discussions and presentations in the CEPS Task Force on ECB Banking Supervision, and reinforced by extensive research undertaken by the rapporteur. José María Roldán, Presidente, Asociación Española de Banca, served as Chairman of the Task Force. |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eps:cepswp:9897&r=cba |
| By: | Rosengren, Eric S. (Federal Reserve Bank of Boston) |
| Abstract: | Remarks by Eric S. Rosengren, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, to Washington and Lee University’s H. Parker Willis Lecture in Political Economy, Lexington, Virginia, November 10, 2014. |
| Date: | 2014–11–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedbsp:89&r=cba |
| By: | Ruslan Aliyev |
| Abstract: | This research studies the specific determinants of the choice of exchange rate regime in resource-rich countries. We run multinomial logit regressions for an unbalanced panel data set of 145 countries over the 1975-2004 period. We find that resource-rich countries are more likely to adopt a fixed exchange rate regime compared to resource-poor countries. Furthermore, we provide evidence that output volatility contributes to the likelihood of choosing a fixed exchange rate regime positively in resource-rich countries and negatively in resource-poor countries. We believe that in resource-rich countries a fixed exchange rate regime is mainly preferred due to its stabilization function in the face of turbulent foreign exchange inflows. Moreover, our results reveal that the role of democracy and independent central banks in choosing more flexible exchange rate regimes is stronger in resource-rich countries. In resource-rich countries that possess non-democratic institutions and non-independent central banks, the government is less accountable in spending natural resource revenues and fiscal dominance prevails. In this situation, fluctuations in natural resource revenues are more easily transmitted into the domestic economy and therefore a fixed exchange rate becomes a more favorable option. |
| Keywords: | monetary policy; exchange rate regime; natural resource-rich countries; |
| JEL: | E52 E58 Q3 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cer:papers:wp527&r=cba |
| By: | Diez, Federico J. (Federal Reserve Bank of Boston) |
| Abstract: | The emerging market economies (EME) experienced financial distress during two recent periods, both linked to the prospect of the Federal Reserve starting to slow its asset purchases. This policy change was expected to reverse the capital flows directed to the EME. Despite this aggregate effect, a closer analysis shows that there were significant differences across the EME during the time when talk of the upcoming taper began and the period when the policy was implemented. The author makes use of the literature on currency crises to analyze the different cross-country responses and to identify a potential crisis period in the near future, defined as the next 24 months. |
| Keywords: | currency crises; exchange rates; emerging markets |
| JEL: | F31 F32 F41 F42 |
| Date: | 2014–11–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedbcq:2014_006&r=cba |
| By: | Leo de Haan; Jan Willem van den End; Philip Vermeulen |
| Abstract: | We provide empirical evidence on banks' responses to shocks in wholesale funding, using data of 181 euro area banks over the period August 2007 to June 2013. Banks' adjustments of loan volumes and lending rates in response to funding liquidity shocks are analysed in a panel VAR framework. The results show that shocks in the securities and interbank markets have significant effects on loan rates and credit supply, particularly of banks in stressed countries. Central bank liquidity has mitigated this effect. Lending to non-financial corporations is more sensitive to wholesale funding shocks than lending to households. Moreover, bank characteristics matter for monetary transmission: loan growth of large banks that are typically more dependent on wholesale funding and of banks with large exposure to government bonds shows relatively stronger responses to wholesale funding shocks. |
| Keywords: | banking/financial intermediation; financial crisis |
| JEL: | G21 G32 |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dnb:dnbwpp:456&r=cba |
| By: | Froukelien Wendt |
| Abstract: | Central counterparties (CCPs) can offer significant benefits to a market. However, CCPs are also highly interconnected with financial institutions and markets and therefore too important to fail. The increased volumes cleared through CCPs and their increasing global scope, in particular in the OTC derivatives market, make it even more important that systemic risks related to CCPs are managed. This paper argues that the current set of international policy measures does partly address these risks, but that alternative policy measures are needed to reduce remaining systemic risks. For example, the paper recommends network analysis to be conducted by CCPs and authorities to gauge potential losses and suggests a common international approach to central bank services to help reduce the dependency of CCPs on services provided by commercial banks. |
| Keywords: | Systemically important financial institutions;Financial institutions;Too-important-too-fail;Financial markets;Interconnectedness;Financial systems;International financial stability;central counterparties, interconnectedness, interdependencies, too important to fail, recovery and resolution, risk waterfall. |
| Date: | 2015–01–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:15/21&r=cba |
| By: | Wang, Mu-Chun; Amir Ahmadi, Pooyan; Matthes, Christian |
| Abstract: | How much have the dynamics of US time series and in the particular the transmission of innovations to monetary policy instruments changed over the last century? The answers to these questions that this paper gives are "A lot." and "Probably less than you think.", respectively. We use vector autoregression with time-varying parameters and stochastic volatility to tackle these question. In our analysis we use variables that both influenced monetary policy and in turn were influenced by monetary policy itself, including bond market data (the difference between long-term and short-term nominal interest rates) and the growth rate of money. |
| JEL: | E31 E52 E43 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100562&r=cba |
| By: | Abbassi, Puriya; Bräuning, Falk; Fecht, Falko; Peydró, José-Luis |
| Abstract: | We analyze the impact of financial crises and monetary policy on the supply of wholesale funding liquidity, and also on the compositional supply effects through cross-border and relationship lending. For empirical identification, we draw on the proprietary bank-to-bank European interbank dataset extracted from Target2 and also exploit the Lehman and sovereign crisis shocks as well as the main Eurosystem non-standard monetary policy measures. The robust results imply that the crisis shocks lead to worse access, volumes and spreads (in both the overnight and longer-term maturities). The quantitative impact on interbank access and volume is stronger than on spreads. Liquidity supply restrictions are exacerbated for cross- border lending after the Lehman failure; for banks headquartered in periphery countries, the impact is quantitatively stronger in the sovereign debt crisis. Moreover, the interbank market - unlike other credit markets - allows to exploit the price dispersion from different lenders on identical credit contracts, i.e. overnight uncollateralized loans in the same morning for the same borrower. This price dispersion increases massively with the crisis, and even more for riskier borrowers. Cross-border and previous relationship lenders charge higher prices for identical contracts in the crisis. Importantly, this price dispersion substantially decreases when the Eurosystem promises unlimited access to liquidity at a fixed price in October 2008 and announces the 3-year LTRO in December 2011, with economically stronger effects for borrowers in weaker countries. |
| Keywords: | interbank liquidity,financial crises,monetary policy,credit supply,credit rationing,information asymmetry,euro area,financial globalization |
| JEL: | E44 E58 G01 G21 G28 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:bubdps:452014&r=cba |
| By: | Böhm, Volker |
| Abstract: | The expanding/contracting behavior of monetary macroeconomic models is largely driven by government deficits. Their monetary effects on inflation and monetary growth determine the real value of money (or of government debt) in the long run. Only positive stationary (constant) real values of money guarantees stationary positive levels of output and employment in the long run. Within a generalized class of nonlinear monetary macroeconomic models of the AS AD type derived from a microeconomic structure with OLG consumers, such economies generically have no stationary equilibria under perfect foresight/rational expectations when tax revenue is income dependent and endogenous (no lump sum taxes) and when the government follows a stationary spending rule. They usually have two balanced stochastic equilibria, an unstable one with positive levels of employment, output, and positive real value of money plus a stable nonmonetary one under hyperinflation (or a monetary bubble). Under the hypothesis of the model, only the stable ones are empirically observable. The paper shows that these properties are true for a large class of AS-AD models including those with a random budget policy rule whose deficit is zero on average. In contrast, such economies have positive stable balanced stationary equilibria if the government policy has a small strictly positive nonrandom demand component in all cases of uncertainty. Among other things, this confirms the long run effectiveness of deficit spending in random economies under rational expectations known from Keynesian theories. The results are derived using techniques from the theory of random dynamical systems which allows a complete theoretical and numerical analysis of the dynamics of random time series and their stability of the nonlinear stochastic model. |
| JEL: | E00 C02 E52 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100423&r=cba |
| By: | Termos, Ali (American University of Beirut); Genc, Ismail H. (American University of Sharjah); Naufal, George S (Timberlake Consultants) |
| Abstract: | The strong economic ties between the GCC economies and the U.S. are manifested in three ways: currency peg, coupling of monetary policy, and the adoption of the U.S. dollar as the trading currency for oil. This paper examines how these dynamics result in a misalignment of the U.S. monetary policy with the business cycles of the GCC economies. The study shows how the staggering amount of remittances outflow of the GCC economies plays a stabilizing role as a tacit monetary policy tool. Incorporating remittances in the money demand equation results in a more robust model than otherwise. We further find that the effect of the Federal Funds rate on money demand in these countries diminishes in significance during the period of oil boom between 2002 and 2009. However, the transmission effect of the recession periods in the U.S. into the demand for money in the GCC countries is not statistically significant. |
| Keywords: | remittances, inflation, monetary policy, GCC |
| JEL: | F24 N15 |
| Date: | 2015–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8810&r=cba |
| By: | Martin Uribe (Columbia University); Alessandro Rebucci (The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School); Andres Fernandez (Inter American Development Bank) |
| Abstract: | A growing recent theoretical literature advocates the use of prudential capital control policy, that is, the tightening of restrictions on cross-border capital flows during booms and the relaxation thereof during recessions. We examine the behavior of capital controls in a large number of countries over the period 1995-2011. We find that capital controls are remarkably acyclical. Boom-bust episodes in output, the current account, or the real exchange rate are associated with virtually no movements in capital controls. These results are robust to decomposing boom-bust episodes along a number of dimensions, including the level of development, the level of external indebtedness, or the exchange-rate regime. We also document a near complete acyclicality of capital controls during the Great Contraction of 2007-2009. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:red:sed014:951&r=cba |
| By: | Michalski , Tomasz; Ors , Evren |
| Abstract: | The authors provide the first evidence that changes in risk-based capital requirements for banks affect the real economy through international trade. Using a natural experiment – mandatory Basel II adoption in its Standardized Approach by all banks in Turkey on July 1, 2012 – they investigate the impact of new risk-weights applied to commercial letters of credit (CLC) on that country’s exports to 174 countries. The authors estimate the resulting payment-term-cost elasticity of CLC-financed trade to be between -0.5 and -1 while the overall trade elasticity to be between -0.032 and -0.179. Calculations suggest that both CLC-related bank pricing and rationing channels are involved. |
| Keywords: | commercial letters of credit; international trade finance; exports; risk-weights; Basel II |
| JEL: | F14 G21 G28 |
| Date: | 2014–10–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ebg:heccah:1064&r=cba |
| By: | Dossche, Maarten; Lewis, Vivien; Poilly, Céline |
| Abstract: | We characterize optimal monetary policy in a New Keynesian search-and-matching model where multiple-worker firms satisfy demand in the short run by adjusting hours per worker. Imperfect product market competition and search frictions reduce steady state hours per worker below the efficient level. Bargaining results in a convex 'wage curve' linking wages to hours. Since the steady-state real marginal wage is low, wages respond little to hours. As a result, firms overuse the hours margin at the expense of hiring, which makes hours too volatile. The Ramsey planner uses inflation as a instrument to dampen inefficient hours fluctuations. |
| Keywords: | employment,hours,wage curve,optimal monetary policy |
| JEL: | E30 E50 E60 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:bubdps:012015&r=cba |
| By: | Ignatowski, Magdalena; Korte, Josef |
| Abstract: | Can a tightening of the bank resolution regime lead to more prudent bank behavior? This policy paper reviews arguments for why this could be the case and presents evidence linking changes in bank resolution regimes with bank risk-taking. The authors find that the tightening of bank resolution in the U.S. (i.e., the introduction of the Orderly Liquidation Authority) significantly decreased overall risk-taking of the most affected banks. This effect, however, does not hold for the largest and most systemically important banks - too-big-to-fail seems to be unresolved. Building on the insights from the U.S. experience, the authors derive principles for effective resolution regimes and evaluate the emerging resolution regime for Europe. |
| Keywords: | risk-taking,bank resolution regimes,USA,Europe |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:safepl:33&r=cba |