reserves

Banks are never constrained by reserves or reserve ratios. Banks are capital constrained. In our fiat money system, the central bank uses reserves in the system to help the Federal hit a target interest rate. So, the central bank provides…

We debated whether to call Section 3 "Devaluation & Transformation" or 'Transformation and Devaluation" because we could not be sure (or possibly know) which would be generally recognized first. We finally opted for "Devaluation and…

Is there a viable currency to replace the US dollar when over-leverage, economic imbalances and consequent money printing ultimately lead to an overwhelming decline in confidence in the dollar as a store of value?

The following is the second in a series of posts by QB Partners on the dollar standard monetary system. The first post is available for review at Credit Writedowns. In section 1, we tried to lend perspective to the current global monetary…

Michael Pettis argues that Reserve currency status is a global public good that comes with a cost, and people often forget that cost.

Austrians and MMTers should be on the same side. After all, both camps understand the relationship between money and credit, and both understand the full ramifications of having fiat money. They should be on the same side arguing against…

Here is a prequel to Ben Bernanke's press conference from James Galbraith. He seems to think that this approach is risky. But, in retrospect, Bernanke acquitted himself well. Gavyn Davies said it well. That goes to style though. I agree;…

Bernanke’s QE2 program has hurt savers, done nothing for banks, and eviscerated middle class living standards.

Brazil current account deficit came in at a wider than expected -$5.7 bln in March, but was fully covered by FDI totaling $6.8 bln that month. On a 12-month rolling basis, FDI was $60.4 bln vs. a current account gap of -$49.8 bln, pushing…

The press is reporting that China plans to set up new investment funds that will put some of its $3 trln in foreign reserves to work in energy and precious metals. The PBOC is also reportedly studying a proposal to set up some sort of…