Secondary market trading infrastructure of government securities

The subject of our study is the trading infrastructure of government securities markets, which has undergone fundamental changes driven by the appearance of non-exchange electronic platforms and the rapid rise of their share in the trading volume of developed markets. The summary of the relevant literature indicates that improved trading transparency clearly increases the efficiency of the market (its role in price discovery). Its effect on market liquidity, however, is less clear-cut. While the loss of anonymity most likely decreases liquidity, transparency on the quantity and price of concluded transactions enhances liquidity. The emergence of electronic trading on developed government securities markets has not changed the fundamental structure of trading, which continues to take place in two segments: between dealers (B2B) and between dealers and clients (B2C). There is, however, no interbank trading platform on the Hungarian government securities market, although data vendors and other platforms serving clients have sprung up. Nonetheless, more than 90 per cent of trading takes place through traditional OTC channels. Consequently, actors which are interested in market processes and prices, but do not actively trade on the Hungarian market have trouble accessing high-standard, quasi-real-time price information. The MiFID initiative – launched at the European level – may contribute to improving the Hungarian market’s transparency by engendering the regulation of the bond market similar to that of the equity market. Introduction of the euro in Hungary will fundamentally change the country’s market structure. The sovereign debt manager’s leeway will increase, and the key direct actors on the government securities market are expected to be the major international actors, which are interested in the centralisation of government securities trading by currencies. Based on the broad electronisation of the euro-denominated government securities market, it is likely that electronic platforms will also gain ground on the Hungarian market, following the introduction of the single currency at the latest.government securities market, secondary trading, transparency, efficiency, market liquidity.

On trade vouchers called “local money”

There is a lot of debate currently about local monies: the “soproni kékfrankos” (Sopron blue franc), the “rábaközi tallér” (Rába District thaler), the “pécsi korona” (Pécs crown), the “debreceni fantallér” (Debrecen fanthaler) and the “veszprémi korona” (Veszprém crown), all initiatives having been launched recently. Despite the insignificance of local monies on the basis of international experience, local consumers (companies and households alike) may have encountered such instruments every now and then in the recent past. In view of increasing media coverage of the issue, we deemed it timely and necessary to reveal the key facts about these initiatives, and what trade vouchers – commonly known as “local money” – actually are.vouchers, local money, local currency.

Nothing is free: a survey of the social cost of the main payment instruments in Hungary

The study applies two approaches for the estimation of the social costs of main payment instruments (cash, debit card and credit card transactions, credit transfers, direct debits, business-to-business direct debits, postal inpayment money orders, postal outpayment money orders for pensions) used in Hungary in 2009. The first approach is based on the current payment structure, while the second approach is based on a more modern, hypothetical payment structure involving less cash, with no use of paper-based methods. In the first approach, the social cost amounts to HUF 388 billion, i.e. 1.49% of the GDP, while in the second approach, such cost amounts to HUF 285 billion, i.e. 1.09% of the GDP. In this context, social cost means the use of all resources (time, materials and money) necessary for the execution of payments, calculated as a net value (i.e. exclusive of fees paid for payment services). Thus, HUF 103 billion could be saved in social costs if the use of payment instruments were to be modified.private cost, social cost, net private cost, unit cost, social savings, cash transactions, debit card transactions, credit card transactions, paper-based credit transfers, electronic credit transfers, direct debits, business-to-business direct debits, postal inpayment money orders, postal outpayment money orders for pensions

Coping with the speculative attack against the forint's band

On 15 and 16 January 2003, an intensive speculative attack was launched against the exchange rate band of the forint. This study analyses the monetary policy decisions with regard to the antecedents of the speculation, the events of the speculative episode and the subsequent period of consolidation. The study finds that the speculative attack was irrational and unjustified in view of several considerations. Through adjustments in the policy rate and the modification of monetary instruments, the MNB was able to defend the exchange rate band of the forint. The MNB successfully localized the effects of the speculative attack on the interbank market. The MNB’s presence on the foreign exchange market facilitated the rapid and controlled withdrawal of the speculative capital, without threatening the disinflation process and the stability of the financial system. The investors taking part in the speculation incurred substantial losses, while the market developments after the speculative episode increased the banking system’s profit.financial markets, speculative attack, exchange rate, speculative episode.