During the credit crisis, central banks and governments have taken extraordinary measures to preserve financial stability and prevent strong credit rationing of the private sector. Central banks cut official rates, provided liquidity support to the banking sector and supported specific financial...

This paper investigates developments in the balance sheet and monetary policy of De Nederlandsche Bank in the period 1900-1998. We find that - given the institutional framework which is applicable - the composition of DNB's balance sheet is to a large extent endogenous to monetary and...

The Netherlands is ageing. The proportion of Dutch citizens aged 65 or older, expressed as a percentage of all Dutch residents in the 20-65 age bracket - the so-termed grey burden - currently stands at about 22. Expectations are that this number will at least double in the next few decades. This...

The European trade and post-trade industries have seen increased competition in the past few years. As a result of the intensifying competitive market pressure, a series of tariff reduction and alterations of risk management models have been implemented by some central counterparties (CCPs) in...

Despite the efforts that commercials banks have made to promote the use of debit cards and the introduction of new payment methods, the migration from cash to electronic payment methods is not proceeding as quickly as sometimes expected. Why do people pay by cash on one occasion and by bank card...

This study addresses the sustainability of the Dutch system of supplementary pensions, that is, supplementary to the state old-age pension. Traditionally, the system is characterised by high-quality defined-benefit schemes that offer members a high degree of pension security. However, the...

Despite the efforts that commercial banks have made to promote the use of debit cards and the introduction of new payment methods, the migration from cash to electronic payment methods is not proceeding as quickly as sometimes expected. Why do people pay by cash on one occasion and by bank card...

Developers of new banknotes can optimise banknote design by making use of public feedback, strategic communication policy, a design philosophy and the stakeholders' approach reflected in a Programme of Requirements. The synthesis of these four elements will lead to new design concepts for...

This paper investigates the institutional set-up of European banking supervision against the backdrop of the current structure of the European banking market. Point of departure is that, in order to avoid incentive problems and white spots, the institutional structure of supervision should...

Since the start of the economic transformation in 1978, China has been growing at spectacular level. Given the size and growth of its economy, China is in a position to substantially influence world commodity prices and prices for various consumption goods. This report summarises insights from a...