Negatyvas

Stefan Ingves,

governor of the Swedish Central Bank, implied on Wednesday that Swedes are too comfortable to be concerned about negative interest rates. Citing the convenience of online banking and mobile payment systems, Ingves doesn’t think people will be hiding money in their mattresses anytime soon. This observation followed his confirmation that Sweden could possibly go from -0.25% all the way down to a -1.5% interest rate if deemed necessary.

The Riksbank leadership takes an arguably optimistic view of things long term, hoping to potentially hike rates to 1% by 2021. This is despite a currently dreary economic climate. Yields on 10-year government bonds in Sweden dipped below zero the same day Ingves made his remarks. At the same time in Denmark, where the national interest rate is -0.65%, yields on all government bonds were plunging into negative territory in a historic, if depressing milestone.

Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and Japan are all experimenting with negative interest rate policies (NIRP) in bids to stimulate uniquely embattled economies. Due to an influx of safe haven-seeking capital, the Swiss franc has appreciated over 80% against the USD in the last decade. To balance this effect, the Swiss National Bank has interest set at -0.75%. The Bank of Japan has continued at -0.1% as of mid-June. NIRP is a relatively new tactic, with Sweden being the first to try it, cutting into negative territory just 10 years ago.

'Don't Worry, We Can Just Print More Money' - Swedish Central Bank Ponders Even Lower NIRP

Negatyvas yra fotoaparato nespalvinėje fotojuostoje užfiksuotas vaizdas. Realaus objekto šviesiausios sritys negatyve yra tamsios.