Understanding TARGET 2: The Eurosystem’s Euro Payment System from an Economic and Balance Sheet Perspective

TARGET2 – the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Express Transfer System 2 operated by the Eurosystem – provides for the efficient settlement of cross-border payments in euro and is thus a key infrastructure component of European monetary union. TARGET2 claims and liabilities in the accounts of the euro area central banks have recently become a subject of public debate. However, TARGET2 balances by definition constitute intra- Eurosystem balances and are as such an integral part of the decentralized implementation of the single monetary policy. Considerable claims and liabilities can arise for various reasons, many of which are related to the normal functioning of the euro area and do not require an economic policy response. Changes in TARGET2 balances also do not imply any direct changes in the risk exposure levels of national central banks. At the same time, there is no denying that the Eurosystem is facing major challenges in its monetary and liquidity policy. TARGET2 balances are indeed currently high owing to the financial crisis, given the need to provide liquidity aid to the European banking system. Yet as soon as such liquidity aid is no longer necessary, following appropriate economic policy measures such as recapitalizing banks or measures to restore confidence in government solvency, TARGET2 balances will also decline.