Central Bank & Government Intervention in Financial Crises: Risks & Rewards

During times of financial crises, central governments and central banks have a tendency to print money to buy assets and backstop financial markets. 

This action comes at a cost to the balance sheets of these entities. 

However, the impact of these actions creates a safer environment for households. Unlike the private sector, central governments and central banks don’t have to worry about being squeezed for money or market losses causing them financial problems.

The stimulus produced by credit creation in the beginning is stimulative, but when it comes to paying it back, it can be depressing because it requires spending less. 

This is the part of the cycle that central bankers don’t like. 

They have a greater preference to stimulate, and these shorter debt cycles (generally lasting 5-10 years each that we become used to because we experience many of them over our lifetimes) stack up over time until we hit zero interest rates.

This is the point at which other measures need to be taken.

Key Takeaways – The Impact of Central Banks’ Crisis Actions on Household Finances

• Central banks and governments print money during financial crises to prevent significant economic damage, but it comes at a cost to their balance sheets.
• Traders and investors must understand the potential implications of central bank and government intervention, including inflation, asset bubbles, and currency depreciation.
• While these actions can help prevent some negative impacts of a financial crisis, they cannot fix any underlying economic issues, and traders/investors should have diversified portfolios to protect themselves from what they don’t know.

Why Government Balance Sheets Are Important for Traders and Investors to Understand

For traders and investors, it’s essential to understand the implications of these actions. 

Central banks and governments are in the business of creating money to meet the demands of goods and services output and changing the incentives between lenders and borrowers so inflation doesn’t run too high or low. This has a significant impact on markets. 

When they do so, they are effectively increasing the supply of money, which can lead to inflation.

The increase in the money supply can lead to a depreciation of the currency’s value, which can create challenges for investors who hold assets denominated in that currency. 

This is especially true for foreign investors who hold assets in a currency that is not their own.

On the other hand, if central banks and governments do not take action during times of financial crisis, it can lead to significant economic damage, including bankruptcies and job losses. 

The stimulus produced by these actions can help prevent some of these negative outcomes.

For traders, understanding the potential for central bank and government intervention is critical. 

If a crisis is brewing, it’s essential to understand the potential actions that these entities might take and how they could impact markets. 

For example, if a central bank announces that it will start buying assets or printing money, this could be positive for the stock market.

In this case, traders/investors who play it well will “ride the wave” until inflationary pressures develop and markets begin to discount rate hikes or central banks begin to slow their monetary accommodation by more than what’s discounted.

If spending grows too quickly, it can lead to inflation, which can have a negative impact on stocks, bonds, and other asset classes.

Furthermore, traders need to understand that central bank and government intervention is not a panacea. 

These actions can help prevent some of the negative impacts of a financial crisis, but they cannot fix underlying economic problems where they exist, such as:

• insufficient productivity growth relative to income growth 
• too much spending relative to income (debts rising faster than income)
• too many assets relative to liabilities

For example, if a company is fundamentally weak, no amount of central bank or government stimulus will make it strong.

FAQs – How Central Banks Create Safer Environments

What are central banks and why do they print money during financial crises?

Central banks are financial institutions responsible for regulating a country’s monetary policy. 

They print money during financial crises to inject liquidity into the economy and can prevent significant economic damage, such as job losses and companies going under.

How does printing money affect the balance sheets of central governments and central banks?

Printing money deteriorates the balance sheets of central governments and central banks. 

However, this action can create a safer environment for households as central governments and central banks have to worry about devaluation, which is usually less of a problem than running out of money (like private sector participants have to worry about).

What is the impact of credit creation on the economy?

The stimulus produced by credit creation is stimulative in the beginning. But when it comes time to paying it back, it can be depressing because it requires spending less. 

The “now we have to spend less and pay back our debt” part of the cycle is what central bankers don’t like because the trade-offs become very acute.

What are the implications of central bank and government intervention for traders and investors?

Central bank and government intervention can significantly impact the markets, including stock, bond, and other asset classes. 

If a central bank announces that it will start buying assets or printing money, it can be positive for the stock market in the short term. 

However, traders and investors also need to be aware of the longer-term implications of these actions, including inflation, asset bubbles, and currency depreciation.

How can traders and investors prepare for potential central bank and government intervention?

Traders and investors can prepare for potential intervention by staying informed about the actions that central banks and governments may take during times of financial crisis. 

It’s essential to understand how these actions could impact the markets and their specific asset classes. 

It’s also of great benefit to have a diversified portfolio that can weather various economic uncertainties.

What are the risks associated with central bank and government intervention?

The risks associated with central bank and government intervention include inflation, the creation of asset bubbles, currency depreciation, and longer-term economic challenges. 

While these actions can help prevent some of the negative impacts of a financial crisis, they cannot fix underlying economic problems.

If a company is fundamentally weak, no amount of central bank or government stimulus will make it strong.

How can traders and investors navigate the potential risks and benefits of central bank and government intervention?

Traders and investors can navigate the potential risks and benefits of central bank and government intervention by staying informed, having diversified portfolios, and understanding the potential long-term implications of these actions. 

Conclusion

The actions taken by central banks and governments during times of financial crisis have significant implications for traders and investors. 

While these actions can help prevent some of the negative economic impacts of a crisis, they also come with risks, including inflation, asset bubbles, and currency problems. 

As such, traders and investors need to understand the potential for intervention and how it could impact the markets they operate in.