The quest for financial stability a decade after the onset of the global financial crisis

It has been nearly a decade since the start of the global financial crisis of 2007-09. The crisis serves as a sobering reminder of the economic harm that can be caused by bouts of financial instability, as well as the continuing need to monitor the overall health and stability of the world financial system. Over the last six months, economic activity has gained momentum and increases in many asset prices reflect a more optimistic outlook for growth as well as an improving appetite for risk. As a result, the overall outlook for financial stability has likely improved. In the U.S. corporate sector, hopes for corporate tax reform have lifted sentiment. Will these reforms lead to greater economic risk-taking, or instead add to financial risk-taking, given already elevated leverage? What will be the spillovers from advanced countries’ policies into emerging markets? What is the right policy mix for decisionmakers to secure a stronger path for growth and financial stability?

On May 3, the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy and the Global Economy & Development program at Brookings hosted Tobias Adrian, financial counsellor and director of the capital markets department at the International Monetary Fund, to discuss challenges to global financial stability and the findings of the IMF’s new Global Financial Stability report. Following his presentation, Mr. Adrian joined a panel discussion on the report.