The main characteristics of a currency board are as follows.
(1) Anchor Currency
The domestic currency maintains a fixed exchange rate to an anchor currency (British
pound sterling, U.S. dollar, Euro etc.), and the note-issuing is 100% backed by a foreign
assets. A currency board is a variant of fixed exchange rate targeting in which the commitment
to the fixed exchange rate is by design permanent and is particularly strong. A
currency board maintains full, unlimited convertibility between its notes and coins and
the anchor currency at a fixed rate of exchange.
(2) Reserves
A currency board’s reserves are equal to 100 percent or slightly more of its notes
and coins in circulation, as set by law. As reserves, a currency board holds low-risk,
interest-bearing bonds and other assets denominated in the anchor currency.
(3) Monetary Policy
By design, a currency board has no discretionary power in monetary policy; market
forces alone determine the money supply. Its operations are completely passive. The sole
function of a currency board is to exchange its notes and coins for the anchor currency
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at a fixed rate. Unlike a central bank, an orthodox currency board does not lend to the
domestic government, to domestic companies, or to domestic banks. A currency board
does not try to influence interest rates by establishing a discount rate like a typical central
bank, nor does have responsibility for acting as a lender of last resort to commercial banks.