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Exchange Rate Regime




The exchange rate regime is the way a country manages its Currency in respect to foreign currencies and the Foreign Exchange Market .

The basic types are a ''floating'' exchange rate, where the market dictates the movements of the exchange rate, a ''pegged float'', where the central bank keeps the rate from deviating too far from a target band or value, and the ''pegged'' exchange rate, which ties the currency to another currency, mostly more widespread currencies such as the U.S. Dollar or the Euro .


Float

''See main article: Floating Exchange Rate ''

Floating rates are the most common exchange rate regime today. For example, the Dollar, Euro, Yen , and British Pound all float. However, since central banks frequently intervene to avoid excessive appreciation/depreciation, these regimes are often called ''managed float''.


Pegged float


Here, the currency is pegged to some band or value, either fixed or periodically adjusted. Pegged floats are:

  • ''Crawling bands'': the rate is allowed to fluctuate in a band around a central value, which is adjusted periodically. This is done at a preannounced rate or in a controlled way following Economic Indicator s.

  • ''Crawling pegs'': Here, the rate itself is fixed, and adjusted as above.

  • ''Pegged with horizontal bands'': The currency is allowed to fluctuate in a fixed band (bigger than 1%) around a central rate.



Fixed

''See main article: Fixed Exchange Rate ''

Fixed rates are those that have direct convertibility towards another currency. In case of a separate currency, also known as a Currency Board arrangement, the domestic currency is backed one to one by Foreign Reserves . A pegged currency with very small bands (< 1%) and countries that have adopted another country's currency and abandoned its own also fall under this category.


LITERATURE

  • Tiwari, Rajnish (2003): ''Post-Crisis Exchange Rate Regimes in Southeast Asia'', Seminar Paper, University of Hamburg. ( PDF )