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Friday, 1 November 2013

Europe Reaches For Safeguards Against Massive Bank Runs

By Cornelius Nunev


Things may get even worse before they get much better in the European economic crisis, Reuters reports. The European Central Bank is pressuring for a joint guarantee on bank deposits throughout the euro zone, amid fears that bank runs will spread like wildfire as investors head for the hills. Top economic official of the European Commission Olli Rehn cautioned that without extra financial discipline, Europe will descend into a financial chasm.

Spain, Greece and fear of bank runs

The euro currency has deflated to a two-year low against the United States dollar because of worries that Greece may not survive and Spain's banking system could failure. Austrian and French bonds have 10-year yields at their low since the introduction of the euro, but European speculators are putting money in nonetheless.

Spanish banks moved huge amounts of cash abroad in March at a rate faster than has been recorded since record-keeping of such transactions began in 1990, notes the AP. The country's fourth-largest lender, Bankia, reportedly was nationalized in May due to huge losses following a real estate crash. As much as $82 billion in net capital has been lost by Spanish banks in recent months.

Not giving the help requested

Christine Lagarde is the IMF Managing Director. She explained that there are no plans for a Spanish bank bailout. The rumor started because it might help defend Europe's economy a little bit.

"There is no such plan. We have not received any request to that effect and we are not doing any work in relation to any financial support," said Lagarde.

A referendum in Ireland would make it easier for the European Union to offer aid to Ireland voters, according to the New York Times. There is also an election in Greece on June 17 that will go a long ways towards to euro zone for the nation. Right now, the bank bailout favoring New Democracy party is beating the SYRIZA leftists, which is a good thing for people who want bank bailouts.

Finding clarity

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi has made it clear that European leaders must decide where their nations stand in relation to the euro quickly, and that the ECB will not write economic policy for the entire euro zone.

"We will avoid bank runs from solvent banks. Depositors' money will be protected if we build this European guaranteed deposit fund. This will assure that depositors will be protected," said Draghi.

While the ECB is pushing for a joint deposit guarantee for depositors, Germany is not sold. As the paymaster of the European Union, Germany has been unwilling to risk more of its own taxpayers' money to prop up the union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Europe should consider all options.

"There are integration steps which will require treaty changes. We are not at that stage today but nevertheless there are no taboos," she said at a news conference.

A lot of concern will not help

The European financial crisis has caused financiers to be really concerned at this time, according to Draghi. Unfortunately, that must not translate into caution.

"I urge all governments to keep this in mind, because it is better to err by too much in the very beginning rather than by too little," he said, citing the recent failures of Spain's Bankia and the French-Belgian bank Dexia.




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