Through a series of large-scale asset purchase programs (LSAPs), the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet expanded to include more longer-term Treasury securities and two additional asset classes, agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS).1 Agency MBS currently represent more than 40 percent of the System Open Market Account (SOMA) domestic portfolio.2  Furthermore, in order to maintain the size of the SOMA’s agency holdings, the New York Fed’s Open Market Trading Desk (the Desk) continues to reinvest principal paydowns on agency MBS and agency debt into agency MBS each month.3 In my remarks today, I will share some reflections on LSAPs at the ZLB and the flexibility that access to the agency MBS market gives the Federal Reserve to execute such programs. Before I begin, however, let me remind you that the views I express are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Federal Reserve 1 / 10  BIS central bankers' speeches  Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System. Large-Scale Asset Purchase Programs Currently, all the major advanced-economy central banks are either at or close to the zero lower bound.
With the scorecard, remuneration of intermediaries will be more closely aligned to the suitability of products for prospective customers and the overall quality of service. I believe that such a shift in incentive structures will encourage advisers to build more enduring relationships with customers. More can be done beyond the realm of regulation. In other countries – such as Australia, United Kingdom and India – financial advisers are voluntarily adopting a fee-based model. The combined effect of increased customer awareness and bargaining power are also pushing financial advisers to reduce their commission-based income. In India for example, several firms have successfully shifted to largely fee-based models. This is, however, not a painless transition. In doing so, some have parted ways with customers who were unwilling to pay these fees. I believe that the move towards a fee-based model is an important signal that the advisers’ incentives are aligned with those of their customers. To ensure a successful transition to a feebased model, financial advisers will need to enhance their value proposition to ensure that customers receive the standard and breadth of advisory services that would be worth paying for. 3/5  BIS central bankers' speeches  This is no easy undertaking, but I am confident that it is one that our financial advisory firms will be able to achieve. Adaptability to change At the beginning of my remarks, I had highlighted three key trends affecting the industry. How well financial advisers respond to these developments will determine the industry’s relevance in the years to come.