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Optimal Monetary Policy at the Zero-Interest-Rate Bound

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  • Jung, Taehun
  • Teranishi, Yuki
  • Watanabe, Tsutomu

Abstract

What should a central bank do when faced with a weak aggregate demand even after reducing the short-term nominal interest rate to zero? To address this question, we solve a central bank's intertemporal loss-minimization problem, in which the non-negativity constraint on nominal interest rates is explicitly considered. We find that the optimal path is characterized by policy inertia, in the sense that a zero interest rate policy should be continued for a while even after the natural rate of interest returns to a positive level. By making such a commitment, the central bank is able to achieve higher expected inflation, lower long-term nominal interest rates, and a weaker domestic currency in the adverse periods when the natural rate of interest significantly deviates from a steady-state level.

Suggested Citation

  • Jung, Taehun & Teranishi, Yuki & Watanabe, Tsutomu, 2005. "Optimal Monetary Policy at the Zero-Interest-Rate Bound," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 37(5), pages 813-835, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:mcb:jmoncb:v:37:y:2005:i:5:p:813-35
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    References listed on IDEAS

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