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Accountability  The idea that central bankers should be held responsible for their policies.
Central bank  The financial institution that manages the government's finances, controls the availability of money and credit in the economy, and serves as the bank to commercial banks.
Central bank independence  The central bank's freedom from political pressure.
Exchange-rate stability  One of the objectives of the central bank is to reduce exchange-rate fluctuations making it stable.
Financial stability  One objective of the central bank is to eliminate financial system volatility, ensuring that it remains stable.
Financial system  The system that allows people to engage in economic transactions. It is composed of five parts: money, financial instruments, financial markets, financial institutions, and central banks.
Fiscal policy  The government's tax and expenditure policies, usually formulated by elected officials.
Hyperinflation  Very high inflation; when prices double every two to three months.
Interest-rate stability  One of the objectives of the central bank is to reduce interest-rate fluctuations keeping it stable.
Monetary policy  The central bank's management of money, credit, and interest rates.
Monetary policy framework  A structure in which central bankers clearly state their goals and the trade-offs among them.
Potential output  What the economy is capable of producing when its resources are used at normal rates; also called sustainable output.
Price stability  One objective of the central bank is to keep inflation low so that prices are stable on average.
Sustainable growth  When the economy is growing at the rate dictated by potential output.
Transparency  The central bank's communication of its policy decisions and how they are made clearly to the financial markets and the public.







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