We present a detailed survey of changes in the reserve requirement system in Brazil and analyze the system's main functions and goals during the period from 1994 to 2012. We identify four different subperiods with respect to the use of this policy tool. In the first subperiod, from july 1994 to...

We present a detailed survey of changes in the reserve requirement system in Brazil and analyze the system's main functions and goals during the period from 1994 to 2012. We identify four different subperiods with respect to the use of this policy tool. In the first subperiod, from july 1994 to...

This paper deals with the financial statements of Central Banks. The starting point is the analysis of their balance sheets, which reveal their strong connections, on the one hand, with the National Treasuries; on the other hand, with the financial firms. The balance sheets reveal, besides the...

This paper deals with the financial statements of Central Banks. The starting point is the analysis of their balance sheets, which reveal their strong connections, on the one hand, with the National Treasuries; on the other hand, with the financial firms. The balance sheets reveal, besides the...

The aim of this paper is to analyze critically the Independence of Central Banks (ICB). By presenting the theoretical arguments that support the independence, as well as some empirical studies regarding this topic, we introduce the main critical concerns about the argument of ICB. Besides, we...

This article presents a review of empirical literature regarding the credibility of economic policy, dedicating special attention to the econometric techniques used. The literature researched is comprised of two groups based on the type of econometric technique employed. However, within the main...

This paper tests two hypotheses for the overbidding behavior of the banks in the fixed rate tenders conducted by the European Central Bank from January 1999 until June 2000. One hypothesis attributes the overbidding to expectations of a future tightening of monetary policy, while the other...

Given that several countries have adopted inflation targeting, and that the main objective of this regime is to function as a guide for the inflationary expectations of economic agents, transparency in the handling of the monetary policy becomes a prerequisite for the success of this regime....