The Challenge of Predicting Economic Crises

Abstract

Given the global integration of financial markets over the last decade, large capital flow reversals can occur quite quickly, considerably shortening the time policymakers have to respond. As a consequence, and motivated in part by the recent crises in Europe, Mexico and Asia, researchers are taking a fresh look at the determinants of currency and banking crises and are attempting to develop early warning systems to signal when trouble may be brewing in currency markets and banking systems. The lack of transparency in the operation of financial systems, especially in emerging markets, considerably complicates this risk. This paper questions whether it is possible to develop early warning signals to help them anticipate incipient problems in currency markets and banking systems. In the end, the holy grail of crisis prediction may be intrinsically unattainable.

Keywords: Emerging markets, Economic models, Economic policy, Financial institutions, Securities markets