Staff discussion papers are completed staff research studies on a wide variety of subjects relevant to central bank policy.
284
result(s)
2021 Methods-of-Payment Survey Report
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-23
Christopher Henry,
Matthew Shimoda,
Julia Zhu
We present results from the 2021 Methods-of-Payment Survey, including updated payment shares. We highlight long-term trends and provide additional context for results with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Bank notes,
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
Digital currencies and fintech,
Financial services
JEL Code(s):
D,
D8,
D83,
E,
E4,
E41
Financial Constraints and Corporate Investment in China
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-22
Kun Mo,
Michel Soudan
Financial constraints deter firms from pursuing optimal investment plans. In China, we find privately owned firms face greater financial constraints than state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This can be explained by our finding that lenders appear less concerned about the credit risk of SOEs, which causes distortions in the allocation of credit.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Financial markets,
Firm dynamics
JEL Code(s):
E,
E2,
E22,
G,
G1,
G3
The Relative Benefits and Risks of Stablecoins as a Means of Payment: A Case Study Perspective
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-21
Annetta Ho,
Sriram Darbha,
Yuliya Gorelkina,
Alejandro García
Our paper contributes to the discussion about the utility of stablecoins for retail payments through an objective, evidence-based approach that compares stablecoins with traditional retail payment methods. The paper also provides insights that could be useful in the design of central bank digital currencies.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Digital currencies and fintech,
Payment clearing and settlement systems
JEL Code(s):
D,
D7,
D78,
O,
O3,
O38
Stablecoins and Their Risks to Financial Stability
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-20
Cameron MacDonald,
Laura Zhao
What risks could stablecoins pose to the financial system? We argue that the stabilization mechanisms of stablecoins give rise to the risk of confidence runs, which can propagate to broader cryptoasset markets and the traditional financial sector. We also argue that stablecoins can contribute to financial stability risks by facilitating the buildup of leverage and liquidity mismatch in decentralized finance. Such risks cannot be addressed by ensuring the price stability of stablecoins alone. Finally, we explore the potential implications of stablecoins for the current system of bank-intermediated credit and for monetary policy.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Digital currencies and fintech,
Financial institutions,
Financial markets,
Financial stability,
Financial system regulation and policies
JEL Code(s):
E,
E4,
E42,
E44,
E5,
E58,
G,
G2,
G23
Calculating Effective Degrees of Freedom for Forecast Combinations and Ensemble Models
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-19
James Younker
This paper derives a calculation for the effective degrees of freedom of a forecast combination under a set of general conditions for linear models. Computing effective degrees of freedom shows that the complexity cost of a forecast combination is driven by the parameters in the weighting scheme and the weighted average of parameters in the auxiliary models.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Econometric and statistical methods
JEL Code(s):
C,
C0,
C01,
C02,
C1,
C13,
C5,
C50,
C51,
C52,
C53
COVID-19 and Financial Stability: Practice Ahead of Theory
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-18
Jing Yang,
Hélène Desgagnés,
Grzegorz Halaj,
Yaz Terajima
The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered policy challenges related to the economic measures that were taken to support the economy. Two years later, we attempt to identify the broader impact of these measures and research that needs to follow.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
Financial stability,
Financial system regulation and policies
JEL Code(s):
E,
E5,
E58,
E6,
E61,
G,
G2,
G21,
H,
H3,
H8,
H84
Cash, COVID-19 and the Prospects for a Canadian Digital Dollar
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-17
Walter Engert,
Kim Huynh
We provide an analysis of cash trends in Canada before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also consider the potential two scenarios for issuance of a central bank digital currency in Canada: the emergence of a cashless society or the widespread use of an alternative digital currency in Canada. Finally, we discuss the Canadian experience in maintaining cash as an efficient and accessible method of payment and store of value.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Bank notes,
Central bank research,
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19),
Digital currencies and fintech,
Econometric and statistical methods
JEL Code(s):
C,
C1,
C12,
C9,
E,
E4,
O,
O5,
O54
Income Inequality in Canada
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-16
Sarah Burkinshaw,
Yaz Terajima,
Carolyn A. Wilkins
Data show that income inequality in Canada increased substantially during the 1980s and first half of the 1990s but has been relatively stable over the past 25 years. This increase was felt mainly by low-income earners and younger people, while older people benefited from higher retirement income.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Central bank research,
Labour markets,
Monetary and financial indicators
JEL Code(s):
D,
D3,
D31,
D6,
D63,
I,
I2,
I24,
I3,
I32,
J,
J3,
J31,
J32,
N,
N3,
N32
Canadians’ Access to Cash Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Staff Discussion Paper 2022-15
Heng Chen,
Marie-Hélène Felt
This paper studies Canadians’ access to cash using the geographical distribution of automated banking machines (ABMs). During the pandemic, there have been no sustained adverse effects on cash accessibility.
Content Type(s):
Staff research,
Staff discussion papers
Topic(s):
Financial services,
Regional economic developments
JEL Code(s):
J,
J1,
J15,
O,
O1,
R,
R5,
R51