Monetary policy actions taken over the past three years were key in preventing a financial meltdown. Empirical evidence suggests that central bank bond purchase programmes were effective in lowering bond yields and supporting economic activity. Nevertheless policymakers also need to bear in mind...

The paper examines the basic rationale and features of the proposals adopted to separate specific investment and commercial banking activities (Volcker rule, Vickers and Liikanen proposals). In particular, it focuses on the likely implications of such initiatives for: financial stability and...

The presence of possible distortions caused by a prolonged period of low interest rates indicates that policymakers should raise interest rates as soon as macroeconomic conditions allow. Low interest rates are good for macroeconomic stability in the short run, but could harm long-run financial...