Author Archives: Rogelio Mercado

Is There a Case for Regulating Stablecoins?

Stablecoins have become one of the most debated topics in contemporary financial policymaking, especially following the enactment of the GENIUS Act in the United States. Beyond the U.S.—and outside monetary jurisdictions whose exchange rate regimes and monetary policies are closely aligned with the U.S. dollar—policy responses have diverged significantly, ranging from outright bans, as in […]

Dynamics of Output Growth During Pandemics: Evidence from Two Centuries of Data

In this Suara SEACEN article, we show that global output growth slows down during pandemics, and global growth in the post-pandemic period is slightly lower than the pre-pandemic period. This article argues that public health must remain the top priority; and fiscal stimulus that will cushion the severe impacts of the pandemic must play dominant […]

Unchartered Vulnerabilities: Corporate Leveraged Loans and Collateralised Loan Obligations

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2008-09, accommodative monetary policy, mainly through unconventional means, provided liquidity support which eased financial conditions in the crisis-hit economies of the U.S. and Europe.  But the low interest rate environment has encouraged greater risk-taking among corporates and non-bank financial institutions resulting in a build-up of corporate […]