Escaping the Financial Dollarization Trap: The Role of Foreign Exchange Intervention

Escaping the Financial Dollarization Trap: The Role of Foreign Exchange Intervention
Author: Paul Castillo
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 39
Release: 2024-06-21
Genre:
ISBN:

Financial dollarization is considered a source of macroeconomic instability in many emerging economies. Dollarization constrains the ability of central banks to stimulate output during economic downturns. In contrast to the conventional monetary transmission mechanism, a monetary policy loosening in a dollarized economy leads to a currency depreciation, adverse balance sheet effects, and a contraction in investment and output growth. In this paper we evaluate the role of foreign exchange reserves in facilitating macroeconomic stabilization in a financially dollarized economy. We first show empirically that foreign exchange intervention in response to capital outflows can largely reduce the volatility of output and the real exchange rate in dollarized economies. We then develop a small open economy model with foreign currency debt and balance sheets effects. Our quantitative model shows that an active foreign exchange intervention policy is sufficient for offsetting the output volatility associated with financial dollarization. These results can explain the prevalence of low macroeconomic volatility in some dollarized economies (Christiano et al., 2021) and they highlight the role of foreign exchange reserves in reducing the welfare costs of dollarization.

Financial Crises Explanations, Types, and Implications

Financial Crises Explanations, Types, and Implications
Author: Mr.Stijn Claessens
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2013-01-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1475561008

This paper reviews the literature on financial crises focusing on three specific aspects. First, what are the main factors explaining financial crises? Since many theories on the sources of financial crises highlight the importance of sharp fluctuations in asset and credit markets, the paper briefly reviews theoretical and empirical studies on developments in these markets around financial crises. Second, what are the major types of financial crises? The paper focuses on the main theoretical and empirical explanations of four types of financial crises—currency crises, sudden stops, debt crises, and banking crises—and presents a survey of the literature that attempts to identify these episodes. Third, what are the real and financial sector implications of crises? The paper briefly reviews the short- and medium-run implications of crises for the real economy and financial sector. It concludes with a summary of the main lessons from the literature and future research directions.

Monetary and Currency Policy Management in Asia

Monetary and Currency Policy Management in Asia
Author: Masahiro Kawai
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2012-01-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0857933353

Asian economies strengthened their monetary and currency management after the Asian financial crisis of 19971998, and came through the global financial crisis of 20072009 relatively well. Nevertheless, the recent global crisis has presented new challenges. This book develops recommendations for monetary and currency policy in Asian economies aimed at promoting macroeconomic and financial stability in an environment of global economic shocks and volatile capital flows. Monetary and Currency Policy Management in Asia draws lessons from crises and makes concrete macroeconomic policy recommendations aimed at minimizing the impacts of an economic and financial downturn, and setting the stage for an early return to sustainable growth. The focus is on short-term measures related to the cycle. The three main areas addressed are: monetary policy measures, both conventional and unconventional, to achieve both macroeconomic and financial stability; exchange rate policy and foreign exchange reserve management, including the potential for regional cooperation to stabilize currency movements; and ways to ease the constraints on policy resulting from the so-called 'impossible trinity' of fixed exchange rates, open capital accounts and independent monetary policy. This is one of the first books since the global financial crisis to specifically and comprehensively address the implications of the crisis for monetary and currency policy in emerging market economies, especially in Asia. Presenting a broad menu of policy options for financial reform and regulation, the book will be of great interest to finance experts and policymakers in the region as well as academics and researchers of financial and Asian economics as well as economic development.

Dealing with Multiple Currencies in Transitional Economies

Dealing with Multiple Currencies in Transitional Economies
Author: Giovanni Capannelli
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010
Genre: Cambodia
ISBN: 9789715618700

In the transitional economies of Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Viet Nam (the CLV countries), foreign currencies such as the US dollar commonly circulate in addtion to the local currency. National authorities must consider the costs and benefits of such a system, especially in relation to monetary and exchange policies' effect on their development priorities. "This pioneering study is an important contribution to understanding the underpinnings of the Mekong economies' dynamism...Highly recommended." -- Hal Hill, H.W. Arndt Professor of Southeast Asian Economies, Austratlian National University While dealing with multiple currencies is ultimately an issue of national economic policy, the CLV countries could benefit from greater regional cooperation on monetary and financial issues. They would be able to exploit economies of scale, introduce best practices, and facilitate the adoption of common regulatory standards. Greater regional dialogue on monetary policy could also help the CLV countries find a solution to the so-called multiple-currency phenomenon and reap more benefits from their increasing regional economic interdependence. This study, conducted by a team of economists from the Asian Development Bank, academics, and personnel from CLV finance ministries and central banks, explores the issues of multiple currencies and regional monetary cooperation among the economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the context of increasing regional economic interdependence. It reviews the main issues related to the monetary and exchange rate policy decisions taken by CLV national authorities, and discusses the options and opportunities available for enhancing monetary and financial stability in the ASEAN region.

Escaping the Governance Trap

Escaping the Governance Trap
Author: Neil Shenai
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 170
Release: 2022-07-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3030990230

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the global economic landscape, with the smallest and most vulnerable economies particularly hard hit. In the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the crisis has cost lives and livelihoods. It has impacted both the demand and supply sides of the economy, posing difficult policy tradeoffs. Risks to macroeconomic stability are now growing. Each country will likely exit the crisis with an even greater need for reform. Escaping the Governance Trap: Economic Reform in the Northern Triangle provides a framework for understanding the challenges of those three Central American nations, proposing that the lack of governing capacity in each country is a crucial problem. This book argues that economic reforms can help the Northern Triangle countries escape their governance traps and identifies priority areas of economic reform. Sectors covered include fiscal policy, monetary and exchange rate policy, financial access and deterrence, and structural reforms. It also highlights the role that stakeholders like the United States can play to help in these reform efforts, and how those outcomes affect the United States and the global community. All told, Escaping the Governance Trap provides an accessible, direct account of the Northern Triangle’s economic challenges and how to fix them.

Toward an Integrated Policy Framework

Toward an Integrated Policy Framework
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Total Pages: 54
Release: 2020-10-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9781513558769

Policymakers often face difficult tradeoffs in pursuing domestic and external stabilization objectives. The paper reflects staff’s work to advance the understanding of the policy options and tradeoffs available to policymakers in a systematic and analytical way. The paper recognizes that the optimal path of the IPF tools depends on structural characteristics and fiscal policies. The operational implications of IPF findings require careful consideration. Developing safeguards to minimize the risk of inappropriate use of IPF policies will be essential. Staff remains guided by the Fund’s Institutional View (IV) on the Liberalization and Management of Capital Flows.

Dollarization

Dollarization
Author: Eduardo Levy Yeyati
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 364
Release: 2003
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780262122504

Theoretical and empirical analysis of de jure dollarization. With the persistent instability of international financial markets, emerging economies are exploring new ways to reduce exposure to capital flow volatility. Some analysts argue that financially open economies are best served by more flexible regimes, while others argue in favor of extreme exchange rate regimes that have a strong commitment to a fixed parity or dispense with an independent currency. The successful launch of the euro has made more realistic the prospect of replacing a national currency with a strong foreign one. Recent examples include the adoption of the US dollar by Ecuador and El Salvador. The introduction of a foreign currency as sole legal tender, termed full (de jure) dollarization, has been the center of much political and academic debate. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the issues from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. The topics discussed include the role of balance sheet effects, the linkage between currency risk and country risk, the impact of dollarization on trade, financial integration and credibility, the implications of dollarization for the lender of last resort, and the institutional and political economy aspects of dollarization.

How Do Central Banks Talk?

How Do Central Banks Talk?
Author: Alan S. Blinder
Publisher: Centre for Economic Policy Research
Total Pages: 150
Release: 2001
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9781898128601

Not long ago, secrecy was the byword in central banking circles, but now the unmistakable trend is towards greater openness and transparency. This, the third Geneva Report on the World Economy, describes and evaluates some of the changes in how central banks talk to the markets, to the press, and to the public. The report first assesses the case for transparency ? defined as providing sufficient information for the public to understand the policy regime ? and concludes that it is very strong, based on both policy effectiveness and democratic accountability. It then examines what should be the content of communication and argues that central banks ought to spell out their long-run objectives and methods. It then investigates the link between the decision-making process and central bank communication, drawing a distinction between individualistic and collegial committees. The report concludes with a review of the communications strategies of some of the main central banks.

Global Economic Prospects 2006

Global Economic Prospects 2006
Author:
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 182
Release:
Genre:
ISBN: 082136345X

International migration, the movement of people across international boundaries to improve economic opportunity, has enormous implications for growth and welfare in both origin and destination countries. An important benefit to developing countries is the receipt of remittances or transfers from income earned by overseas emigrants. Official data show that development countries' remittance receipts totaled 160 billion in 2004, more than twice the size of official aid. This year's edition of Global Economic Prospects focuses on remittances and migration. The bulk of the book covers remittances.