June 2025: Elasticity in the monetary system

BIS Bulletin No 101
by Ryan Niladri Banerjee, Jon Frost, Michael Chui and Jose María Vidal Pastor

Key takeaways

  • Today’s two-tier monetary system performs a crucial role: providing money in an elastic way through overdrafts and lines of credit in the face of uncertainty and unforeseen shocks.
  • During the Covid-19 pandemic, such elasticity allowed central banks and commercial banks to provide a discretionary increase in the money supply to manage global shocks.
  • In recent months, banks have expanded their loan commitments to sectors impacted by US tariffs in anticipation of client demand for working capital.

Link:
BIS Bulletin: Elasticity in the monetary system