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Monetary Policy Communication: Perspectives from Former Policy Makers at the ECB

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  • Ehrmann, Michael
  • Holton, Sarah
  • Kedan, Danielle
  • Phelan, Gillian

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a survey of former members of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, which sought their views on monetary policy communication practices, the related challenges and the road ahead. Pronounced differences across the respondent groups are rare, suggesting that there is broad consensus on the various issues. Respondents view enhancing credibility and trust as the most important objective of central bank communication. They judge communication with financial markets and experts as extremely important and adequate, but see substantial room for improvement in the communication with the general public. The central bank objective is widely seen as the most important topic for monetary policy communication, and several respondents perceived a need for clarification of the ECB’s inflation aim, citing the ambiguity of the “below, but close to, 2%†formulation that was in place at the time of the survey.

Suggested Citation

  • Ehrmann, Michael & Holton, Sarah & Kedan, Danielle & Phelan, Gillian, 2021. "Monetary Policy Communication: Perspectives from Former Policy Makers at the ECB," CEPR Discussion Papers 16816, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:16816
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    2. Michael Ehrmann, 2026. "Trust in Central Banks," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 492-504, February.
    3. Donato Masciandaro & Oana Peia & Davide Romelli, 2024. "Central bank communication and social media: From silence to Twitter," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(2), pages 365-388, April.
    4. Bro de Comères, Quentin & Oros, Cornel & Pourroy, Marc & Raguideau-Hannotin, Léonore & Vaubourg, Anne-Gaël, 2025. "Non-standard monetary policy and ECB communication: Confusion or predictability?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    5. van der Cruijsen, Carin & de Haan, Jakob & van Rooij, Maarten, 2025. "The association of high perceived inflation with trust in national politics and central banks✰," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    6. Ehrmann, Michael & Holton, Sarah & Kedan, Danielle & Phelan, Gillian, 2022. "Monetary policy communication – past ECB policymakers commend Bank’s progress and call for more," Research Bulletin, European Central Bank, vol. 93.
    7. Ehrmann, Michael & Georgarakos, Dimitris & Kenny, Geoff, 2023. "Credibility gains from communicating with the public: evidence from the ECB’s new monetary policy strategy," Working Paper Series 2785, European Central Bank.
    8. Kamps, Christophe & Bussière, Matthieu & Niessner, Birgit & Tristani, Oreste & Christoffel, Kai & Kapadia, Sujit & Ferrero, Giuseppe & Gilbert, Niels & Vlassopoulos, Thomas & Motto, Roberto & Gerke, R, 2025. "Report on monetary policy tools, strategy and communication," Occasional Paper Series 372, European Central Bank.
    9. Ambrocio, Gene & Ferrero, Andrea & Jokivuolle, Esa & Ristolainen, Kim, 2022. "What Should the Inflation Target Be? Views from 600 Economists," CEPR Discussion Papers 17289, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E52 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Monetary Policy
    • E58 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Monetary Policy, Central Banking, and the Supply of Money and Credit - - - Central Banks and Their Policies

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