Posts
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December 20, 2000
David Dodge Appointed Governor of the Bank of Canada
The Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada announced today that, pursuant to Section 6 of the Bank of Canada Act, it has appointed David Dodge as Governor of the Bank of Canada for a seven-year term, effective 1 February 2001. -
December 17, 2000
Dynamic General-Equilibrium Models and Why the Bank of Canada is Interested in Them
Dynamic general-equilibrium models (DGEMs) are being increasingly used in macroeconomic research. In this article, the author describes the main features of these models and outlines their contribution to economic research performed at the Bank of Canada. He notes that the basic principle of DGEMs is that the modelling of economic activity, even on a scale as large as the economy of a country, should start with a series of microeconomic problems (at the scale of individuals), which, once resolved, are aggregated to represent the macroeconomic reality described by the model. -
December 16, 2000
The Bank of Canada's Management of Foreign Currency Reserves
This article describes the Bank's management of the liquid foreign currency portion of the government's official reserves. It broadly outlines the operations of the Exchange Fund Account (EFA), the main account in which Canada's reserves are held. It then briefly reviews the evolution of the objectives and management of the EFA over the past 25 years, particularly in light of the changing level of reserves and developments in financial markets. The EFA is funded by Canada's foreign currency borrowings in capital markets. The article focuses on the comprehensive portfolio framework used to manage the Account, which matches assets and liabilities. Under this framework, funds are invested in assets that match, as closely as possible, the characteristics of foreign currency liabilities issued, helping to immunize the portfolio against currency and interest rate risks. -
December 15, 2000
The Federal Government's Use of Interest Rate Swaps and Currency Swaps
Interest rate swaps and currency swaps are contracts in which counterparties agree to exchange cash flows according to a pre-arranged formula over a period of time. Since 1985, the federal government has been using such swaps to manage its liabilities in a cost-effective and flexible manner. The authors outline the characteristics of swap agreements and the ways in which the government uses them. They show that the swap program has been cost-effective, estimating that past and projected savings exceed $500 million. The authors also discuss the methods that the government uses to monitor the counterparty credit risk associated with these transactions. -
The Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Exchange Rate Forecasting: The Role of Market Microstructure Variables
Artificial neural networks (ANN) are employed for high-frequency Canada/U.S. dollar exchange rate forecasting. ANN outperform random walk and linear models in a number of recursive out-of- sample forecasts. -
December 5, 2000
Bank of Canada keeps Bank Rate at 6 per cent
The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining the Bank Rate at 6 per cent. The operating band for the overnight rate is unchanged, and the Bank’s target for the overnight rate remains at 5 3/4 per cent. -
December 4, 2000
Bank of Canada Governor concludes that a floating exchange rate regime continues to make sense for Canada
In a speech to the Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitain, Bank of Canada Governor Gordon Thiessen reviewed the different sides of the argument with respect to a floating exchange rate regime, and concluded that a floating currency continues to make sense for Canada. -
December 4, 2000
Why a Floating Exchange Rate Regime Makes Sense for Canada
One of the issues that has often surfaced over the years is the exchange rate for the Canadian dollar. Indeed, over the past couple of years, it has been a topic of considerable public discussion. -
December 1, 2000
Market Views Sought on Issues Relating to the Design and Operation of Government Debt Programs over 2001-02
A consultation document on issues relating to the design and operation of government debt programs over 2001-2002, prepared jointly by the Department of Finance and the Bank of Canada, is being made public today.