Fundamental uncertainty and unconventional monetary policy: an info-gap approach. Bruegel Working Paper Issue 1 / 2017

This paper applies the info-gap approach to the unconventional monetary policy of the Eurosystem and so takes into account the fundamental uncertainty on inflation shocks and the transmission mechanism. The outcomes show that a more demanding monetary strategy, in terms of lower tolerance for output and inflation gaps, entails less robustness against uncertainty, particularly if financial variables are taken into account. Augmenting the Taylor rule with a financial variable leads to a smaller loss of robustness than taking into account the effect of financial imbalances on the economy. However, in some situations, the augmented model is more robust than the baseline model. A conclusion from our framework is that including financial imbalances in the monetary policy objective does not necessarily increase policy robustness, and may even decrease it

What do we Know About the Effects of Macroprudential Policy, De Nederlandsche Bank Working

Abstract The literature on the effectiveness of macroprudential policy tools is still in its infancy and has so far provided only limited guidance for policy decisions. In recent years, however, increasing efforts have been made to fill this gap. Progress has been made in embedding macroprudential policy in theoretical models. There is increasing empirical work on the effect of some macroprudential tools on a range of target variables, such as quantities and prices of credit, asset prices, and on the amplitude of the financial cycle and financial stability. In this paper we review recent progress in theoretical and empirical research on the effectiveness of macroprudential instruments. Keyword

Applying complexity theory to interest rates:Evidence of critical transitions in the euro area

We apply complexity theory to financial markets to show that excess liquidity created by the Eurosystem has led to critical transitions in the configuration of interest rates. Complexity indicators turn out to be useful signals of tipping points and subsequent regime shifts in interest rates. We find that the critical transitions are related to the increase of excess liquidity in the euro area. These insights can help central banks to strike the right balance between the intention to support the financial system by injecting liquidity and potential unintended side-effects on market functioning. Zusammenfassung Wir wenden Komplexitätstheorie auf Finanzmärkte an, um zu zeigen, dass die vom Eurosystem geschaffene Überschussliquidität zu kritischen Übergängen bei der Konfiguration der Zinssätze geführt hat. Komplexitätsindikatoren erweisen sich als nützliche Signale von Kipppunkten und nachfolgenden Regimeverschiebungen bei Zinssätzen. Wir stellen fest, dass die kritischen Übergänge mit dem Anstieg der Überschussliquidität im Euroraum zusammenhängen. Diese Einblicke können Zentralbanken helfen, das richtige Gleichgewicht zwischen der Absicht, das Finanzsystem mit zusätzlicher Liquidität zu unterstützen, und möglichen unbeabsichtigten Nebenwirkungen auf das Marktgeschehen zu finden

Liquidity Stress-Tester: A Model for Stress-testing Banks' Liquidity Risk

This article presents a stress-testing model for liquidity risks of banks. It takes into account the first- and second-round (feedback) effects of shocks, induced by reactions of heterogeneous banks, and reputation effects. The impact on liquidity buffers and the probability of a liquidity shortfall is simulated by a Monte Carlo approach. An application to Dutch banks illustrates that the second-round effects in specific scenarios could have more impact than the first-round effects and hit all types of banks, indicative of systemic risk. This lends support policy initiatives to enhance banks' liquidity buffers and liquidity risk management, which could also contribute to prevent financial stability risks. (JEL Codes: C15, E44, G21, G32) Copyright , Oxford University Press.

Liquidity Stress-Tester: A macro model for stress-testing banks' liquidity risk

This paper presents a macro stress-testing model for market and funding liquidity risks of banks, which have been main drivers of the recent financial crisis. The model takes into account the first and second round (feedback) effects of shocks, induced by behavioural reactions of heterogeneous banks, and idiosyncratic reputation effects. The impact on liquidity risk is simulated by a Monte Carlo approach. This generates distributions of liquidity buffers for each scenario round, including the probability of a liquidity shortfall. An application to Dutch banks illustrates that the second round effects have more impact than the first round effects and hit all types of banks, indicative of systemic risk. This lends support policy initiatives to enhance banks' liquidity buffers and liquidity risk management, which could also contribute to prevent financial stability risks.banking; financial stability; stress-tests; liquidity risk

Liquidity Stress-Tester: Do Basel III and Unconventional Monetary Policy Work?

This paper presents a macro stress-testing model for liquidity risks of banks, incorporating the proposed Basel III liquidity regulation, unconventional monetary policy and credit supply effects. First and second round (feedback) effects of shocks are simulated by a Monte Carlo approach. Banks react according to the Basel III standards, endogenising liquidity risk. The model shows how banks' reactions interact with extended refinancing operations and asset purchases by the central bank. The results indicate that Basel III limits liquidity tail risk, in particular if it leads to a higher quality of liquid asset holdings. The flip side of increased bond holdings is that monetary policy conducted through asset purchases gets more influence on banks relative to refinancing operations.banking; financial stability; stress-tests; liquidity risk

Trading off monetary and financial stability: a balance of risk framework

This paper presents a framework that quantifies the trade-offs for a central bank that includes financial stability in its strategy and uses macroprudential instruments next to the interest rate. It is an innovative application of the Kaminsky and Reinhart early warning method, by assuming that the central bank takes into account financial variables as signals of inflation risks. The empirical application shows that trading off monetary and macroprudential policy reduces the overall costs related to inflation and financial instability. This can be achieved by changing the preferences of the central bank, lengthening the monetary policy horizon and by a more flexible inflation target. Estimation results of a probit model indicate that the monetary stance in the US and the Euro area has not adequately traded off price stability against financial stability.financial stability; macroprudential policy; monetary policy; policy co-ordination; inflation

Indicator and boundaries of financial stability

This paper presents an information variable for financial stability consisting of a composite index and its related critical boundaries. It is an extension of a Financial Conditions Index with information on financial institutions. The indicator is bounded, on one side, by the instability boundary which depends on the solvency buffers of the institutions and the stress level on financial markets. On the other side, the imbalances boundary signals when extreme imbalances accumulate. This concept is applied to the Netherlands and six OECD countries which experienced a financial crisis.financial stability; indicator; crisis