Including a Symposium on Latin American Monetary Thought


Book Description

In addition to general research contributions, volume 36C features a symposium edited by Andrés Álvarez on monetary economics in post-independence Latin America. The symposium features contributions from Matías Vernengo and Esteban Pérez Caldentey, Ricardo Solis Rosales, Florencia Sember, and Edna Carolina Sastoque Ramírez.




Challenges for Central Banking


Book Description

In the wake of the 2008–09 global financial crisis, central banking and monetary policy in many corners of the world came under intense pressure and entered unchartered waters. The breadth and scale of central bank operations have been modified or expanded in unprecedented and even unimaginable ways given the circumstances. Additionally, a fundamental rethinking of central banking and its policy frameworks has been taking place. This volume reflects a multilateral effort to help close the gap in our knowledge in meeting the critical challenges presented by these significant changes, in particular, those confronting central banks in Latin America. The volume’s first section provides a panoramic overview of the policy progress made to date and the challenges that lie ahead. The related issue of spillovers and monetary independence is taken up more fully in the next section. The final section presents chapters that reexamine macroprudential and monetary policies and policy frameworks from the perspective of central bank staff members from the region.




Excerpt: Challenges for Central Banking


Book Description

This paper provides a regional perspective on these challenges by including chapters authored by central bankers from Latin America, as well as IMF experts. The paper also provides a panoramic overview of the policy progress made to date and the challenges that lie ahead for central banks in the region. It places the subject in historical context by looking at how central banks in the region have evolved over the past century and outlines the challenges ahead in a more financially integrated global economy. Since the global financial crisis, central banking has been undergoing a massive renovation. The crisis brought to light fundamental challenges for central bankers in terms of purpose, instruments, and what we hope to achieve. An overarching theme that connects us in both advanced and emerging market economies alike is that of setting monetary policies in an increasingly financially integrated world and addressing the underlying challenges that this presents. Looking forward, concerns have shifted to the challenges of price stability in a world of globally integrated capital markets.




Central Banking in Latin America


Book Description

This paper provides a brief historical journey of central banking in Latin America to shed light on the debate about monetary policy in the post-global financial crisis period. The paper distinguishes three periods in Latin America’s central bank history: the early years, when central banks endorsed the gold standard and coped with the collapse of this monetary system; a second period, in which central banks turned into development banks under the aegis of governments at the expense of increasing inflation; and the “golden years,” when central banks succeeded in preserving price stability in an environment of political independence. The paper concludes by cautioning against overburdening central banks in Latin America with multiple mandates as this could end up undermining their hard-won monetary policy credibility.




Central Banking in Latin America


Book Description

Latin America’s central banks have made substantial progress towards delivering an environment of price stability that is supportive of sustainable economic growth. We review these achievements, and discuss remaining challenges facing central banking in the region. Where inflation remains high and volatile, achieving durable price stability will require making central banks more independent. Where inflation targeting regimes are well-established, remaining challenges surround assessments of economic slack, the communication of monetary policy, and clarifying the role of the exchange rate. Finally, macroprudential policies must be coordinated with existing objectives, and care taken to preserve the primacy of price stability.




Central Banks and Monetary Regimes in Emerging Countries


Book Description

This book focuses on the recent trends of monetary policy in Latin America. It analyzes how the actions of central banks and the monetary regimes of some Latin American countries have affected the economic performance of these countries, mainly in response to the international financial crisis (IFC) and COVID-19 crisis.




Inflation Performance and Constitutional Central Bank Independence


Book Description

This paper explores the relationship between the constitutional entrenchment of central bank independence and inflation performance. Empirical studies for developing countries have not found a relationship between central bank independence, proxied by the "de jure" independence established in the central bank law, and inflation. We argue that the constitution is likely to be better enforced than ordinary statutes owing to its higher legal rank. Our empirical analysis finds that in a sample of Latin American and Caribbean countries, those countries that entrench the independence of the central bank in the constitution have a better inflation performance.







Regional Integration in Europe and Latin America


Book Description

Originally published in 2004. This comprehensive collection provides an innovative analysis and a comparison between economic and financial integration in Europe and Latin America, addressed from a global, regional and country-specific perspective. It constitutes a valuable overview focusing on three topics: regional integration and monetary cooperation in Europe and Latin America, exchange rate strategies and financial sector structure. The collection is the outcome of a Workshop and high-level Seminar organized by the Banco de España and the European Central Bank that brought together senior European and Latin American central bankers, as well as senior representatives from international institutions. The 31 contributors presented high quality papers, allowing the reader to take advantage of a rigorous economic analysis that uses first-hand information and draws useful lessons for the future.