The Role of the Currency Board in Bulgaria's Stabilization

The Role of the Currency Board in Bulgaria's Stabilization
Author: Ms.Anne Marie Gulde
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 22
Release: 1999-04-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1451974108

This paper focuses on the process leading to the choice of a currency board as a stabilization instrument, and its specific design. The use of a currency board was complicated and controversial because of serious structural problems, including a systemic banking crisis. It argues that the arrangement was well designed for the task at hand, combining a traditional rule-based exchange arrangement with a number of legal and structural measures to address the pressing bank sector and fiscal issues. In light of the interdependence of the measures, the success of Bulgaria’s currency board stabilization must be attributed to a combination of elements, of which the currency board was a crucial, but not the only determining factor. Structural problems, most notably in the banking sector, were equally severe. The banking crisis had been smoldering since at least 1995. A 1996 review found that out often state banks, which still accounted for more than 80 percent of banking sector assets, nine had negative capital and more than half of all state banks' portfolios were nonperforming.

Currency Board Arrangements. Rationale for Their Introduction, Advantages and Disadvantages

Currency Board Arrangements. Rationale for Their Introduction, Advantages and Disadvantages
Author: Svetoslav Pintev
Publisher: diplom.de
Total Pages: 81
Release: 2003-03-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3832465499

Inhaltsangabe:Abstract: Currency board arrangements, under which domestic currency can be issued only to the extent that it is fully covered by the central bank s holdings of foreign exchange, were long generally dismissed as throwbacks to the colonial era. It was argued that such a rigid, rule-based arrangement was not well suited to diversified economies in many of which the authorities had developed sophisticated skills in monetary management. Instead, currency boards were seen as desirable in very small open economies (such as city-states for example). In 1960, 38 countries or territories were operating under a currency board. By 1970, they were 20 and, by the late 1980s, only 9. In the last decade the interest for Currency Board Arrangement (hereinafter CBA) renewed because of its simplicity, transparency, and rule-bound character. It became evident after the successful efforts made by two transition economies-Estonia and Lithuania-which quickly managed to achieve credibility for their newly established currencies. In 1997, a currency board arrangement was introduced in Bulgaria to end the economic crisis. Soon after, Bosnia and Herzegovina followed. In 1998 there have been discussions on establishing a currency board arrangement in Russia. More recently the newly appointed Finance Minister of Poland initiated a debate on pegging the Polish zloty to the euro through a CBA. This paper previews the history of the colonial and modern currency boards and presents the benefits of such a system for the newly emerged transition economies in Eastern Europe and Bulgaria especially. First, we will present a brief description of the currency board system. Currency Board Arrangements after falling into oblivion during much of the post-war period, staged a remarkable comeback mainly in Central and Eastern Europe countries. Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina have introduced this particular monetary framework and as a result have managed to break inflationary inertia, to bolster the credibility of the monetary authorities and to instill macroeconomic discipline. Inhaltsverzeichnis:Table of Contents: I.Introduction 1.What is a currency board? 2.What a currency board is not? II.Origins of the Currency Board 1.Intellectual origin of the currency board system 2.Early Currency Board Systems 3.Decline of the Currency Board system. Reasons 4.Currency board system in nowadays III.Currency Board system and Countries in [...]

The Stability of Currency Boards

The Stability of Currency Boards
Author: Kai Stukenbrock
Publisher: Peter Lang Pub Incorporated
Total Pages: 237
Release: 2004
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9783631520314

The 1990s saw a revival of the currency board system, and proponents have advocated it as an easy-to-set-up exchange rate arrangement providing effective stabilization of the economy. However, the experience of Argentina has highlighted the risks of having a currency board. This study presents both the potential benefits, as well as the risks, of having a currency board by examining the stability of the currency board arrangement and identifying factors affecting the stability. The analysis is based on second-generation currency crisis models, extended to incorporate currency-board specific features and to account for particular aspects often found in currency-board economies.

Bulgaria in a Time of Change

Bulgaria in a Time of Change
Author: Iliana Zloch-Christy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 248
Release: 1996
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

This book discusses the issues of economic, political and social transformation in post-1989 Bulgaria. Its main aim is to assess realities in the country in the context of changes in Eastern Europe.

Crisis, Stabilization, and Economic Reform

Crisis, Stabilization, and Economic Reform
Author: Michael Bruno
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 321
Release: 1993
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0198286635

This book authoritatively considers the phenomenon of the severe economic crises of the 1970s and 1980s, as exemplified by the combination of high inflation and negative growth in Israel and Latin America. The author analyses the common characteristics of such processes and their possible cures-with a detailed first-hand account of Israeli stabilization policy, and a comparative policy-oriented analysis of Latin American reforms. Professor Bruno also calls on his experience to give a preliminary evaluation of recent stabilizations and reform attempts in several East European economies. The discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of `shock' treatments provides a good example for the blending of a number of disciplines: lessons of economic history; open economy monetary and macro theory; game-theoretic applications to the theory of economic policy design (concepts such as dynamic inconsistency, government reputation, and credibility); and the rationalization of incomes policy. The Clarendon Lectures in Economics were established in 1987. They consist of coherent sets of three or four lectures given by distinguished economists which are accessible to advanced undergraduates and also of interest to academics. Subjects vary from high theory and applications of theory to policy-oriented topics. Lecturers include Professors J.-M. Grandmont, David Kreps, Kenneth Arrow, Angus Deaton, Robert Schiller, and Oliver Hart.

Currency Boards in Retrospect and Prospect

Currency Boards in Retrospect and Prospect
Author: Holger C. Wolf
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2008
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0262232650

Employing economic theory, cross-country empirical comparison and case studies, this work analyses the effect of currency boards on inflation, output growth and macroeconomic performance. The case studies come from Argentina, Estonia Lithuania, Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Monetary Integration and Dollarization

Monetary Integration and Dollarization
Author: Matias Vernengo
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 319
Release: 2006-01-01
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1847200257

This book brings together an impressive and diverse group of authors to discuss its central theme: whether or not the dollarized international monetary system is sustainable in the context of the global economy it helped create. In addition to its uniquely well-rounded and comprehensive coverage of the issues, this lively and highly readable volume provides an accurate assessment of the lack of consensus in the current debate. A must read for anyone interested in currency crises and the increasing vulnerability of the dollar. Jane D Arista, Director of Progams, Financial Markets Center, US This book deals with the economic consequences of monetary integration, which has long been dominated by the Optimal Currency Area (OCA) paradigm. In this model, money is perceived as having developed from a private sector cost minimization process to facilitate transactions. Not surprisingly, the book argues, the main advantage of monetary integration in the OCA context is the reduction of transaction costs, yet the validity of OCA to analyze processes of monetary integration seems to be limited at best. The contributors in this volume try to go beyond the OCA model and understand the political economy of monetary integration by comparing the European Monetary Union with the dollarization (formal and informal) process in Latin America. The contributors, many of whom are leading lights, reflect the disagreements and the changing views on the proper monetary arrangements in a globalized world and suggest that monetary integration and dollarization are not the solution for the great majority of countries around the world. Monetary Integration and Dollarization brings together mainstream and heterodox views of monetary integration and uses the European and North American experiences as a guide for the discussion of dollarization in developing countries. It will appeal to scholars, researchers and policy makers in the fields of financial and international economics.

The Encyclopedia of Money

The Encyclopedia of Money
Author: Larry Allen
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Total Pages: 545
Release: 2009-10-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1598842528

A comprehensive introductory resource with entries covering the development of money and the functions and dysfunctions of the monetary and financial system. The original edition of The Encyclopedia of Money won widespread acclaim for explaining the function—and dysfunction—of the financial system in a language any reader could understand. Now a decade later, with a more globally integrated, market-oriented world, and with consumers trying to make sense of subprime mortgages, credit default swaps, and bank stress tests, the Encyclopedia returns in an expanded new edition. From the development of metal and paper currency to the ongoing global economic crisis, the rigorously updated The Encyclopedia of Money, Second Edition is the most authoritative, comprehensive resource on the fundamentals of money and finance available. Its 350 alphabetically organized entries—85 completely new to this edition—help readers make sense of a wide range of events, policies, and regulations by explaining their historical, political, and theoretical contexts. The new edition focuses most intently on the last two decades, highlighting the connections between the onrush of globalization, the surging stock market, and various monetary and fiscal crises of the 1990s, as well as developments, scandals, and pocketbook issues making headlines today.

Eastern Europe at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century

Eastern Europe at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century
Author: Ian Jeffries
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 455
Release: 2002-02-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1134561512

This volume examines Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. Analysing major political and economic events in these countries from the mid-1990s to the present, a detailed and accessible guide is provided.

One Currency for Bosnia

One Currency for Bosnia
Author: Warren L. Coats
Publisher: Jameson Books (IL)
Total Pages: 376
Release: 2007
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

This is both a fascinating personal narrative of the often colorful warriors rebuilding a part of war-torn Yugoslavia, and a detailed inside look at how experts can stabilize a nation's currency and banking system. Written by an American who has led International Monetary Fund advisory missions to the central banks of more than twenty countries, this book, crafted in layman's language - but of immense value to specialists in monetary and foreign policy initiatives - is an account of the behind-the-headlines work American and other economists do to bring peace and prosperity to former failed states.Coats was involved in the creation of the Central Bank of Bosnia from before the Dayton Peace Accords. His "currency board" rules for monetary policy, and the creation of the bank, have resulted in the most successful state institution in the country.Marking the tenth anniversary of the bank, the technical world of economics comes alive as the book unfolds like a mystery novel full of colorful and determined people determined to escape the disaster of a bloody civil war.