Global Liquidity Case Study

Currency exchange rates can be categorised as floating, in which case they constantly change based on a number of factors, or they can subsequently be fixed to another currency, where they still float, but they additionally move in conjunction with the currency to which they are pegged. Floating rates are a reflection of market movement, demonstrating the principles of both demand and supply, as well as limit imbalances in the international financial system. Fixed exchange rates are predominantly used by developing countries as they are preferred for their greater stability. They grant further control to central banks to set currency values, and are often used to evade market abuse. (MacEachern, A. 2008; Simmons, P.

Differences in banking regulations across borders permit the most efficient channeling of funds from lenders to borrowers, leading to increased investment and thus increased GDP. Therefore it is imperative that policy makers prudently evaluate the possible consequences and benefits of harmonized banking regulations, as demonstrated by similar regulations instituted domestically, before any such endeavor is embarked upon.

The financial crisis in America had spread to Europe. Banks in the UK bear the greatest impact from the credit crisis sub-prime housing loans in the U.S. For example, Northern Rock Bank had a bad debt account of up to 191.6 billion U.S. dollars in July 2008 and the Bank of England had to pump 27 billion pounds to rescue Northern Rock Bank. At the end of September 2008, there were some other big banks in Europe such as Dexia and Hypo Real Estate falling in the crisis and these banks were rescured by the governements throught financial bailout. (Alexander, 2008)

At the end of World War Two, the Bretton Woods system was established for world currencies. This system involved countries fixing their currencies to the US Dollar, which in turn was tied to the value of gold at a fixed exchange rate of $35 per ounce. As this was a fixed exchange rate system it effectively forced countries to pursue a certain monetary policy, in order to keep their currency pegged to the Dollar and in turn the value of gold.

The banking crisis of the late 2000s, often called the Great Recession, is labelled by many economists as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Its effect on the markets around the world can still be felt. Many countries suffered a drop in GDP, small or even negative growth, bankrupting businesses and rise in unemployment. The welfare cost that society had to paid lead to an obvious question: ‘Who’s to blame?’ The fingers are pointed to the United States of America, as it is obvious that this is where the crisis began, but who exactly is responsible? Many people believe that the banks are the only ones that are guilty, but this is just not true. The crisis was really a systematic failure, in which many problems in the

In the similar time period Japanese Yen has been in the third position with a turnover position of 20.8% in the year 2005. The overall financial market currency structure has seen a decline in the turnover position of the US Dollar to 85% from a strong position of 88%. Similarly a decline has been in the position of the Japanese Yen to 17.2% from an acceptable turnover position of 20.8%. While considering the trend of these two currencies during the period starting from 2007 and ending at 2010, it is to be noted that minute changes were seen in the two different currencies with regards to their share in foreign currency market. The US Dollar witnessed a continued fall to 84.9% from its previous 85.6% however, the Japanese Yen saw a rise from its previous position of 17.2% to an increase of1.8% that is 19%. During the same time period the US dollar and Japanese Yen were the second most traded paired currencies and was traded at around 14% of the overall foreign currency market second to the US Dollar and Euro pair. Conclusion The foreign exchange market has seen considerable changes owing to the global financial crisis. It is to be seen how different factors like economy and global politics further impact strong currencies like the US Dollar and other competing currencies such as the Japanese Yen.

The internet has allowed the money market to operate 24 hours a day. It has been noted however that exchange rate volatility has increased,[v] which makes it more difficult for the government to set monetary policy.

since 2000 (Edwards, S., 2005).” As a result of the increase in foreign demand for U.S. assets, Americans have had access to foreign investment enabling the United States to function with large deficits for years. Looking forward, the United States dollar and the economic health of the country is very dependent on foreign investment in U.S. assets. A potential risk looms in the chance that Asian central banks might lower their demand in U.S. assets resulting in a sharp decline in the U.S.

Recent studies have investigated the impact of the 2007-2009 financial crises on banks’ capital. Berger and Bouwman (2011) emphasised the importance of capital during financial crisis. Their empirical study concludes that banks with solid capital base have some benefits during the crisis than those that are poorly capitalised. Well capitalised banks are more able to withstand the shocks due to liquidity squeeze, and therefore had higher chances of surviving the crisis period. Other benefits accrued to well capitalised banks include increase in their market share and profitability, as customers withdrew their funds from less capitalised to a well-capitalised banks. This conclusion was also reinforced by a recent empirical study conducted Olivier de Bandt et al (2014) on a sample of large French banks over a period of 1993 – 2012. Similarly, Gambacorta and Marques-Ibanez (2011) demonstrate the existence of structural changes during the period of financial crisis. They conclude that banks with weaker core capital positions, greater dependence on market funding and on non-interest sources of income restricted the loan supply more strongly during the crisis period. Using a multi-country panel of banks, Demirgüç-Kunt, Detragiache and Merrouche (2010) find among others results, that during

China, the largest growing market in the world, currently has a policy regarding monetary regulation that allows the Yuan to “float”. This has seen the Yuan appreciate by approximately 24% over the past few years. Today, the exchange rate between the Chinese Yuan and the American Dollar is approximately 6.3 Yuan to 1 Dollar. Some argue that China should revalue the Yuan again the dollar, establishing a more fixed exchange rate. Others believe that current should allow

Finally given the slowing economy in Asia the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reclassified the yuan. Previously the IMF considered it to be “substantially undervalued” compared to other currencies. The IMF has softened its tone toward the Chinese yuan and it is now considered “moderately undervalued”. This new designation makes it harder for the United States government to make a case against and therefore policies to target the imports based on the Chinese yuan. (Davis, 2012)

Deutsche Bank (Karczmar, 2004) suggests that the euro could eventually challenge the dollar as a reserve currency, but the euro is still far behind the U.S. dollar as a reserve currency, representing just 24.2 percent of the world banking reserves in the 2013 third quarter (International Monetary Fund, 2013). Numerous economists endorse the United States’ ability to safely continue its external deficits. Cooper (2001) poses the argument in its simplest form:

Secondly, the fixed dollar-pegged exchange rate system and monetary policy, the independence of the existence of a fundamental conflict, undermine the effectiveness of monetary policy cannot meet the needs of economic development. Monetary policy autonomy is essential for China’s macroeconomic stability; monetary policy should take precedence over the independence of significant exchange rate stability. But the Yuan against the U.S. dollar exchange

dollar. In dollarization, the country abolishes its own currency and uses a foreign currency, such as the U.S. dollar, for all domestic transactions. 6. Emerging market exchange rate regimes. High capital mobility is forcing emerging market nations to choose between free-floating regimes and currency board or dollarization regimes. What are the main outcomes of each of these regimes from the perspective of emerging market nations? There is no doubt that for many emerging markets a currency board, dollarization, and freely-floating exchange rate regimes are all extremes. In fact, many experts feel that the global financial marketplace will drive more and more emerging market nations towards one of these extremes. As illustrated by Exhibit 2.5, there is a distinct lack of “middle ground” left between rigidly fixed and freely floating. In anecdotal support of this argument, a poll of the general population in Mexico in 1999 indicated that 9 out of 10 people would prefer dollarization over a floating-rate peso. Clearly, there are many in the emerging markets of the world who have little faith in their leadership and institutions to implement an effective exchange rate policy.

A fixed exchange rate regime will offer an economy greater stability in international prices and therefore encourage trade. Additionally, for developing countries a fixed rate will assist in promoting institutional discipline as the country will adopt restrictive monetary and fiscal policies that foster an anti-inflationary environment. A significant weakness of a fixed rate is that it is subject to destabilizing speculative attacks which could lead to financial meltdowns and devastating economic contractions. A floating exchange rate regime allows central banks to combat macroeconomic factors such as unemployment, inflation, and interest rates without having to worry about the effect on exchange rates. However, developing countries whose economies depend on trade will be reluctant to allow their exchange rates to fluctuate freely.