Monetary policy risk management in the U.S.

A Chicago Fed paper argues that economic uncertainty at the zero lower bound (ZLB) should be a cause of looser monetary policy. This is basic risk management, as confirmed by Fed Chair Janet Yellen. Near the ZLB unduly tight monetary policy is more difficult to correct than unduly easy policy. Moreover, the mere risk of being constrained by the ZLB tomorrow affects expectations already today and can reinforce the severity of the ZLB constraint.

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