Shadow ECB Council: Members see no need for further action

With Diminishing Returns, ECB Should Hold Steady

With the euro zone economy slightly improving and some measures from March still taking effect, Shadow Council members were in broad agreement that the ECB should keep monetary policy on hold for the time being.

A number of participants argued that the ECB is seeing diminishing returns from its monetary policy actions, reaching the limits of what is possible, and therefore had little to gain from further expansion. One member suggested the central bank may be facing structurally-low inflation that will take time to shift upwards, though one other member expressed confidence that rising oil prices will soon start to shine through. The ECB should be patient and allow existing measures to take effect. Any changes now would simply disturb markets at an inopportune time, one member noted.

Even if ECB policy should remain on hold for now, one member suggested it would be a good time for the ECB to develop a plan for tapering, pointing out that the Federal Reserve began developing a tapering plan three years before it began implementing an exit strategy.

Risks Increasing

A number of members argued that there remained risks for financial markets associated with negative interest rates, though a majority believed the rewards continued to outweigh the costs. One member argued for a more expansionary fiscal policy, but said the ECB would have to “swallow the risks” of its policies as long as that is not forthcoming. Another member noted there remained little understanding of exactly how the ECB’s unconventional measures will work over time. One member continued to support raising interest rates above zero, arguing that the associated risks were too high.

Concerns Over German Current Account Surplus

Most shadow council members expressed concern about Germany’s large current account surplus. Many viewed it as a “disequilibrium” that is unsustainable in the long run and continues to represent a potential threat to the euro zone. Some members were more relaxed on the issue, however, arguing the surplus was a natural result of import/export factors that would work themselves out via market forces.

A few members also noted that the concerns within the euro zone in particular have diminished, as much of Germany’s surplus is with countries outside of the euro zone and European Union. One member disagreed, however, warning that southern European countries currently running surpluses could easily tip back into deficit as economic slack and unemployment is reduced. This could once again put the euro zone economy into disequilibrium.

One of the main problems of the huge current account surpluses was seen in its relation with deficits in other countries, which are financed by debts. Questions were also raised about how long deficit countries will still be able to finance those debts.  

Some members rejected the view that current account surpluses have had an influence on interest rates in the euro zone. One argued that lower rates in Germany were the result of excess demand for financial assets, an ongoing reluctance of many debtors to go into further debt, and German banks reducing risk-taking and therefore lending to the periphery since the financial crisis.

Private Agents to Blame

Many council members noted that the current-account surplus was primarily being impacted by private economic agents. One key reason for savings among households is changing demographics pushing more retirement saving, while another may be a reluctance of Germans to invest in riskier high-yielding assets, forcing many to save more in today’s low-interest rate environment to get the same result.

A number of members also pointed out that cash hoarding by companies is making up a larger chunk of the surplus today than in previous decades, feeding into a chronic lack of private investment across Germany. Uncertainty over the future development of the economy and of future technologies have held back company spending, one member noted.

A Challenge to Correct the Problem

Even among those believing the surplus is a concern, from a policy perspective, dealing with current account imbalances is considered difficult. Forcing companies to spend rather than hoard cash is seen as especially difficult. One member however called for reducing “man-made barriers” to entry into industries as a means of bolstering private spending, but another member cautioned against government intervention to encourage private spending, warning that government incentive programs could do more harm than good.

Some believed that market forces will correct the problem by itself over time, while others argued that Germany should do more to increase demand and invest in future productivity, for example in basic research, education and infrastructure.  A few members however noted there is no real incentive for the German government to increase spending in the short-term with unemployment low and the economy growing above potential. So long as the fiscal policy remains at national level, there is no incentive for Germany to spend simply because of euro-area factors.

Some members suggested more coordinated measures at the euro-area level to boost spending. One member suggested spending in those countries with economic slack, financed by the ECB, which would also help reduce the current account imbalance.

Members’ individual votes on main refinancing rate (currently 0.0 %):

Frankfurt, 25th May, 2015

Jan Mallien, Christopher Cermak