Central Bank Independence and Sacrifice Ratios: Some Further Considerations

The existing literature reports a positive relationship between sacrifice ratios and central bank independence. This paper discusses two critical points related to the usual procedures employed by this literature. One concerns the issue of non-stationarity of the inflation rate, the other the problem of correlation between the error terms for different disinflation episodes in the same country. The way in which the sacrifice ratio-central bank independence relationship is tested is reconsidered taking into account these points. Our results shed considerable doubts on the nature and robustness of such a relationship and on the usual interpretation given to it in the literature.     

The demand for M3 and inflation forecasts: An empirical analysis for Switzerland

The Demand for M3 and Inflation Forecasts: An Empirical Analysis for Switzerland. — This paper argues that money should continue to play an important role in monetary policy even if a central bank pursues a strategy based on inflation forecasts. Within the context of an error correction model, the paper delivers empirical evidence that both the growth rate of the monetary aggregate M3 and the size of excess M3 incorporate useful information with regard to future inflation in Switzerland. This evidence strongly suggests that money should remain an important indicator for monetary policy.     

Uncertainty,risk of default and the savings-consumption decision

Conclusion The relationship between uncertainty and the optimal savings-consumption decision has been discussed. A simple model has been used to show that the existence of default risk has potentially important effects on the nature of this relationship and should not be neglected in its analysis.     

Alternative approaches to the theory of the banking firm

During the past decade, the importance of a sound microeconomic foundation for aggregate economic analysis has been increasingly emphasized. In this context, a satisfactory theory of bank behaviour appears as an indispensable prerequisite for a clear understanding of the workings of the financial sector of the economy. This has led to the development of a substantial literature attempting to model and explain the behaviour of banking firms. This paper presents a survey and discussion of the various approaches which can be found in this literature. A special effort is made to present an integrated view of the real resource and financial aspect: of banking activities.     

Financial integration and innovation in Europe

The creation of an internal market for financial services by the European Union, along with technological changes in communications and data management, will have a strong impact on banking and financial markets in Europe. This paper presents a selective review of discussions concerning the resulting processes of adjustment and their outcomes. Topics covered include effects on cost efficiency, competition production and trade patterns, and the dynamics of financial regulation in the open, integrated economy.     

Exporting against Risk? Theory and Evidence from Public Export Insurance Schemes in OECD Countries

This paper endeavours to find out in how far public export insurance schemes foster international trade. Thereto, a gravity equation is derived, which accounts for the risk of financial losses in case firms contract defaulting foreign buyers. Empirical results suggest that OECD countries issuing trade credits with generous state-guarantees did not, during the 1999 to 2005 period, witness more exports towards politically and commercially more unstable low-income countries. Rather, publicly indemnified trade finance has promoted exports, to a modest degree, towards high and middle-income countries, where financial intermediaries and markets provide viable alternatives to hedge against payment risks.