Effects of Monetary Policy on Bank Lending in Nepal (Published)

Bank lending and monetary transmission mechanism are closely interlinked phenomena. Banks cannot be efficient in their performance without analyzing the impact of monetary policy actions. On the other hand, central bank cannot take appropriate policy actions without having appropriate knowledge of bank lending behavior. This study attempts to find out the impact of monetary policy actions such as cash reserve ratio, open market operations and bank rate on bank lending. In the study, panel data of 24 commercial banks during the period of 1996 to 2015 were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis. This analysis shows that open market operations and cash reserve ratio have negative impact but bank rate  has positive impact on bank lending. Therefore,  the central bank of Nepal should rely mostly on open market operations and cash reserve ratio for monetary operation. Further, the study recommends that central bank should hold cash reserve ratio constant as a cushion for the borrowers from fluctuating lending rates by commercial banks. However, since excessive borrowing will have inflationary effect in the economy, the study recommends that central bank commit commercial banks to open market operations to control short term interest rate and money supply in the economy.

Keywords: Bank Lending, Central Bank, Commercial Bank, Monetary Policy

Effects of the Proposed Removal of CBN Autonomy on the Nigerian Economy: An Informed Analysis (Published)

In Nigeria, an important issue that has engaged the attention of policy makers and the general public in recent past is the issue of appropriate autonomy for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The issue is not whether or not the Government should oversee the CBN but rather, which arm of Government should oversee the Bank – the Executive or the Legislature and to what extent. This paper examines this seemingly controversial issue from different perspectives and from an informed opinion concludes that while the CBN autonomy is essential, the issue of transparency and accountability in the conduct of the Bank’s affairs remain imperative and CBN autonomy should not be misconstrued as latitude for frivolity and unwholesome dabbling, especially by the CBN leadership, into political matters at every turn of events.

Keywords: Accountability, Autonomy, Central Bank, Independence, Transparency