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ECB’s Lagarde: Europe risks 2008-style crisis because of coronavirus outbreak

Comments by ECB president, Christine Lagarde

  • Warns European leaders of a major economic shock
  • Told European leaders that urgent action is needed now
  • ECB also looking at all policy tools
Her remarks are said to be in a conference call to European leaders yesterday, with Bloomberg reporting on the matter – citing a person familiar with the situation.
Adding that the ECB is said to be looking at measures to provide “super-cheap funding” and ensure that liquidity doesn’t dry up, with Lagarde mentioning that they can only work if governments also throw their weight behind them too.
It looks like she is getting fed up with waiting for lawmakers to do something but again, all she can do is plead so that they will actually start taking action. But as mentioned before, when they do decide to finally move, it may already be too late.
As for the ECB, there is little that they can do to provide actual relief in the market. Modifying TLTROs would be their best bet because lowering rates further and expanding QE is just doing more of the same – which isn’t really saying much after all these years.

Heads up: ECB president Lagarde to speak soon

Lagarde will be speaking at the European Banking Conference in Frankfurt

Lagarde

She will be delivering the keynote address to begin the event, right after the welcome/opening addresses which are scheduled for around 0800 GMT.

It has already been three weeks into her tenure as ECB president but Lagarde has yet to share any firm views on monetary policy and her strategic plans for the central bank.
Given the context of the occasion above, perhaps she may not delve too deep into monetary policy remarks but I wouldn’t be surprised if she does bring up a mention or two just to appease the crowd – and markets for that matter.
If she still keeps mum today, the next time we’ll see her speak will be during the press conference after the 12 December monetary policy meeting.
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