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Latin American Central Bank Reform: Progress and Challenges

Author

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  • Agustin Carstens

    (International Monetary Fund)

  • Luis I. Jacome H.

    (International Monetary Fund)

Abstract

This study takes stock of the institutional reform of monetary policy in Latin America since the early 1990s. It argues that strengthening the legal independence of central banks, together with macroeconomic policies, was instrumental in reducing inflation from three-digit annual rates in the 1990s to single-digit territory in 2004. The paper also discusses the main challenges of monetary policy today, namely, achieving price stability, restoring market confidence in domestic currencies, and sticking to policy consistency despite adverse effects of the volatility of capital flows. Finally, recurrent banking crises and lack of fiscal discipline are identified as the main risks for the success of monetary policy in Latin America.

Suggested Citation

  • Agustin Carstens & Luis I. Jacome H., 2005. "Latin American Central Bank Reform: Progress and Challenges," Macroeconomics 0509022, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpma:0509022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jácome, Luis I. & Vázquez, Francisco, 2008. "Is there any link between legal central bank independence and inflation? Evidence from Latin America and the Caribbean," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 788-801, December.
    2. Mr. Luis Ignacio Jácome, 2015. "Central Banking in Latin America: From the Gold Standard to the Golden Years," IMF Working Papers 2015/060, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Sánchez-Fung, José R., 2008. "The day-to-day interbank market, volatility, and central bank intervention in a developing economy," MPRA Paper 15648, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Manoel Bittencourt, 2009. "Polarisation, Populism and Hyperinflation[s]: Some Evidence from Latin America," Working Papers 200921, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    5. Manoel BITTENCOURT, 2009. "Macroeconomic Performance And Inequality: Brazil, 1983–94," The Developing Economies, Institute of Developing Economies, vol. 47(1), pages 30-52, March.
    6. Bogliacino, Francesco & Rojas Lozano, Daniel, 2017. "The evolution of inequality in Latin America in the 21st century: Patterns, drivers and causal hypotheses," MPRA Paper 77803, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Bittencourt, Manoel, 2011. "Inflation and financial development: Evidence from Brazil," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 91-99.
    8. López-Martín Bernabé & Ramírez de Aguilar Alberto & Sámano Daniel, 2018. "Fiscal Policy and Inflation: Understanding the Role of Expectations in Mexico," Working Papers 2018-18, Banco de México.
    9. Jorge Iván Canales-Kriljenko & Luis I. Jácome H. & Ali Alichi & Ivan Luis de Oliveira Lima, 2011. "Sorteando la tormenta mundial: beneficios de la reforma de política monetaria en cinco países latinoamericanos," Boletín, CEMLA, vol. 0(4), pages 194-226, Octubre-d.
    10. de Mello, Luiz & Moccero, Diego, 2011. "Monetary policy and macroeconomic stability in Latin America: The cases of Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 229-245, February.
    11. Hernández-Correa, Gerardo, 2017. "La jurisprudencia de la Corte Constitucional y la autonomía del Banco de la República," Chapters, in: Uribe, José Darío (ed.), Historia del Banco de la República 1923-2015, chapter 8, pages 385-410, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    12. Dayoub, Mariam & Lasagabaster, Esperanza, 2008. "General trends in competition policy and investment regulation in mandatory defined contribution markets in Latin America," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4720, The World Bank.
    13. Luis Felipe Céspedes & Rodrigo Valdés, 2006. "Autonomía de Bancos Centrales: La Experiencia Chilena," Working Papers Central Bank of Chile 358, Central Bank of Chile.
    14. Manoel Bittencourt, 2010. "Financial Development and Economic Growth in Latin America: Schumpeter is Right!," Working Papers 201014, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    15. Bittencourt, Manoel, 2012. "Financial development and economic growth in Latin America: Is Schumpeter right?," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 341-355.
    16. Aitor Erce, 2012. "Selective sovereign defaults," Globalization Institute Working Papers 127, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
    17. Elena-Aura GRIGORESCU & Dimitrie-Daniel PLACINTA & Florin-Valeriu PANTELIMON & Bogdan-Stefan POSEDARU & Andrei BOBOCEA & Corina-Marina MIREA, 2022. "A Brief Inquiry into the Evolution of Inflation during the Fall of Communism, Global Financial Crisis (2008-2009) and COVID-19 Pandemic," Informatica Economica, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(3), pages 26-36.
    18. Serge Jeanneau & Camilo E Tovar, 2008. "Domestic securities markets and monetary policy in Latin America: overview and implications," BIS Papers chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), New financing trends in Latin America: a bumpy road towards stability, volume 36, pages 140-163, Bank for International Settlements.
    19. Manoel Bittencourt, 2007. "Macroeconomic Performance and Inequality: Brazil 1983-1994," Ibero America Institute for Econ. Research (IAI) Discussion Papers 163, Ibero-America Institute for Economic Research.
    20. Aitor Erce Domiguez, 2010. "Debtor Discrimination During Sovereign Debt Restructurings," 2010 Meeting Papers 1324, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    21. International Monetary Fund, 2010. "Weathering the Global Storm: The Benefits of Monetary Policy Reform in the LA5 Countries," IMF Working Papers 2010/292, International Monetary Fund.
    22. Héctor Cuasquer & René Maldonado, 2011. "Microfinanzas y microcrédito en Latinoamérica," Boletín, CEMLA, vol. 0(4), pages 179-193, Octubre-d.
    23. Mr. Jeromin Zettelmeyer, 2006. "Growth and Reforms in Latin America: A Survey of Facts and Arguments," IMF Working Papers 2006/210, International Monetary Fund.
    24. Mr. Luis Ignacio Jácome, 2008. "Central Bank Involvement in Banking Crises in Latin America," IMF Working Papers 2008/135, International Monetary Fund.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Central banks independence; monetary policy; inflation; Latin America;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E42 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Monetary Sytsems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System
    • 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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