Unconventional Choices for Unconventional Times Credit and Quantitative Easing in Advanced Economies

Abstract

With policy rates close to the zero bound and the economies still on the downslide, major advanced country central banks have had to rely on unconventional measures to stabilize financial conditions and support aggregate demand. The measures have differed considerably in their scope, and have inter alia included broad liquidity provision to financial institutions, purchases of long-term government bonds, and intervention in key credit markets. Taken collectively, they have contributed to the reduction of tail risks following the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and to a broad-based improvement in financial conditions. Central banks have adequate tools to effect orderly exit from exceptional monetary policy actions, but clear communication is central to maintaining well anchored inflation expectations and to ensuring a smooth return to normal market functioning.