International Reserves and Swap Lines in Times of Financial Distress: Overview and Interpretations

Joshua Aizenman

Working Papers from eSocialSciences

Abstract: In this paper I review the use of precautionary measures aimed at mitigating emerging markets’ exposure to fragility associated with financial integration. The discussion draws possible lessons from the ongoing global liquidity crisis. The fear of losing international reserves (IR) constrained most emerging markets more than the fear of floating. The fear of using IR during a crisis suggests that emerging markets (EMs) opt to revisit the gains from financial globalization. High levels of IR may be required for the self insurance offered by those reserves to be effective. Under such circumstances, countries may benefit by supplementing the hoarding of IR with Pigovian tax-cum-subsidy policies. These policies would reduce external borrowing, and would fund the marginal hoarding of IR. The fear of losing IR also suggests a greater demand for regional pooling arrangements and swap lines as well as possible new roles for international financial institutions (IFI). [ADBI Working Paper 192]

Keywords: precautionary measures; markets; international reserves; financial globalization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cba and nep-ifn
Note: Institutional Papers
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Working Paper: International Reserves and Swap Lines in Times of Financial Distress: Overview and Interpretations (2010)
Working Paper: International Reserves and Swap Lines in Times of Financial Distress: Overview and Interpretations (2010)
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