While several emerging economies have successfully relied on macro prudential measures to contain the formation of such asset bubbles, the foreign exchange market is not like any other market. With a daily transaction amounting to USD4 trillion, it is the most liquid and dynamic market in the world. The role of sentiment and expectations has resulted in a market that is frequently prone to excessive movements and overshooting. As highly open economies, disruptions and disequilibrium in the foreign exchange market have far reaching consequences in the real economy. Intervention operations to maintain orderly market conditions reinforced by sterilisation operations have aimed at ensuring liquidity in the market and at ensuring that the market conditions reflect the underlying economic fundamentals. Similar to the presence in other financial markets, this is to ensure the sustainability of the efficient functioning of the market. Central banks and crisis containment and management The world going forward is likely to continue to be affected by financial crisis. History has shown that there have been more than a hundred distinct banking crises in this recent two decades. The prospect of surviving such a crisis is not only about building resilience but also having the capacity to manage it. Central banks have a critical role in crisis containment and management, in particular, to provide liquidity, to restore the efficient functioning of financial markets, to lead resolution programmes and to restore confidence to the financial system.
In recent years, both our central bank researchers and external researchers financed by us have been selected to present their papers. In this year’s edition, the conference has been jointly organised with the CEPR’s Economic History section. Secondly, since 2009, the Banco de España has had a biannual programme in place for economic history research grants. Under the programme, universities commit themselves, following an agreement signed with the Bank, to pursuing the research selected and to presenting and publishing their findings. The possibility of collaboration between researchers from both institutions is also envisaged. Since 1980, under the initial backing of Luis Ángel Rojo, the Bank has published a collection of monographs relating to monetary and financial history, Spanish and international alike, under the name “Economic History Studies” (more familiarly known as the “Red Series”). To date, this collection had solely included papers prepared or financed by the Banco de España. Currently, however, with a view to extending and maintaining its continuity, we are assessing opening it up to other research not necessarily financed by the Bank. To be added to the foregoing is all the sponsorship and funding activity of associations, universities and royal academies in the field of economic history. Actions of a differing nature and scope are involved, giving continuity to our long-standing and intense promotion work. I am particularly gratified to be able to share with you today my satisfaction at the recognition recently granted by the Spanish Economic History Association to the supportive work by the Banco de España.