Conduct of Monetary Policy

Two views seem to have clearly emerged about the conduct of monetary policy in the country. There are several analysts who think that there is now enough evidence to suggest that the monetary policy stance of the State Bank needs to be eased.

With import growth contained and a steady downward trend achieved in (non-food, non-energy) core inflation, the SBP is in a position to reverse its tight policy and ease interest rates as early as the first quarter of 2007.

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A Sustainable National Monetary Policy – I Want to Invest in America

Faced with the dilemma of financing WWII President Franklin D. Roosevelt received adamant advice to raise taxes and introduce a forced savings program.  Instead, FDR wisely followed the advice of Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgentthau, JR., who working with Peter Odegard, a political scientist specialized in motivating masses (read propaganda) created the War Advertising Council.

The result was a whopping $187.5 Billion ($2.5%2B Trillion dollars adjusted for inflation into 2009 dollars) to fund the war effort.  Just as important as the money, the War Bonds became a rallying cry for the public to express its patriotism, follow its iconic leaders’ calls for action, and allowed for 85 million Americans to actively participate in the War effort.

» Read more: A Sustainable National Monetary Policy – I Want to Invest in America

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Bond Fundamentals – Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy

It’s the Federal Reserve Bank that influences the money supply. Three tools are used to implement monetary policy:

  1. Open Market Operations
  2. Discount Rates
  3. Reserve Requirements

Since open market operations is the tool used most, we will cover it. Here’s how it works: When the economy is growing too fast and the Fed is worried about the inflation rate, it will sell government securities from its portfolio to the open market. This decreases bank reserves, which means the money supply decreases. When there are less bank and businesses have to pay the bank more in order to borrow. This discourages consumers and businesses from borrowing. Less borrowing means less spending, which slows the economy and eventually can reduce price pressures.

» Read more: Bond Fundamentals – Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy

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