In a speech titled Monetary and Macroprudential Policy Interactions, ECB chief economist Peter Praet said that the central bank’s monetary policy has been “effective in stabilising the euro area economy and creating conditions for a sustained adjustment of inflation towards below, but close to, 2% over the medium term.” But for now, “patient, prudent and persistent monetary policy is still needed” for the Eurozone right now.” And, at the same time and in particular at this stage of the monetary policy cycle, “the risk channel of our policy has to be closely monitored”.
Praet also explained that monetary policy enhances financial stability by “smoothing business cycles and keeping inflation expectations anchored”. Also, it provides “liquidity to solvent institutions in stressful situations.” However, as monetary policy operates amid uncertainty, “miscalibration is a possibility”. And Financial stability risks “mostly arise when the chosen policy interacts with distorted incentives in the financial sector” that “that lead to excessive leverage and maturity transformation, and funding fragilities”.
