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. IMPACT OF NEGATIVE INTEREST RATES ON
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
1. Introduction to Negative Interest Rates
A. Definition and Concept
The Lublin University of Economics Negative nominal interest rates are a non-conventional
monetary policy measure whereby central banks set interest rates below zero. To encourage
spending, this strategy is used when there is deflationary gap or during any deep economic
slowdown. The intended outcome is therefore, to make the banks more aggressive in extending
credit and to encourage people and companies to spend money and create demand to stimulate
economic growth. in a negative interest rate regime, commercial banks are actually charged for
the holding excess reserve at the central bank. This charge is designed to real and encourage the
banks that are holding a lot of reserve from lending and instead encourage them to lend. This is
expected to help chip away the borrowing costs in the economy to help spur more investments
and consumption (Goodfriend, 2016). When the opportunity cost if holding money is more than
the return on the same, the incumbent banks are likely to advance credits to businesses and
consumers thus engorging the real economy. Negative interest rates work on the key concept of
discouraging the accumulation of money and encouraging spending through increasing the
overall demand o (Buiter, 2009). It penalize keeping money idle, while, positive interest rates
make savers lucky and postpone consumption. What this does is to shift the financial objectives
to a place where having cash becomes disadvantageous and hence spending or investing
becomes favorable. Its purpose is thus, to increase of market turnovers, as well as provision of
economic stimuli which will enhance the formation of liquidity. The utilization of negative
interest rates has nonetheless, received numerous criticisms from critics. Several potential
negative consequences has been identified by critics pertaining to the current global economy.
One thing that needs to be considered is whether such a policy is sustainable or may even prove
counterproductive past a certain point. However, the advantages of negative interest rates may
decrease over time since negative interest rates can decrease bank profit and incentives
associated with lending can weaken over time since consumers may reduce their borrowing as
interest rates continue to decrease (Eggertsson et al. , 2019). Also, such As with most monetary
policy measures, there is always the danger of messing up the financial market and developing
asset bubbles. During the period where the interest rates are very low or even negative, investors
might look to gain more profits out of risks hence a situation where the prices of the assets gets a
boost and this leads to rise in market volatility. Another criticism is invariably the possible
decline in the profitability of the banks. Self-fulfilling prophecy On the other hand, negative
interest rates have been seen as pointing a threat to the margins of banks since they are likely to
narrow the difference that is usually realized between the rates at which banks borrow on
deposits and the rates at which it lends out its funds. This may thus, have negative effects on the
policy‟s goals of increasing the availability of credit as it could stifle lending. However, negative
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rates sustained can be burdensome because it reduces returns and have problematic effects on
savers, especially the elderly focusing on income from their savings. It may lower overall
consumption if for any reason, households become cautious due to less income from savings. In
addition, it is unclear what exactly negative interest rates mean for the long term, or even the
medium-term. Potential threats of continuning such rates for long time can distort the consumers
and businesses‟ behaviour in quite unexpected manner which can be counterproductive to the
policy in question. Some critics have likewise identified the fact that this approach can therefore,
be considered as suspect and thus, may undermine public confidence in efforts being
championed by the central bank. Negative interest rates pose concerns yet are hence, considered
to encourage expenditure and discourage saving and have emerged as an effective tool to
revitalize the economy. It can thus, offer short-term positive effects in terms of economic
development but it has long-term consequences that include a lack of sustainability, negative
deterioration in the structure of the financial markets, deteriorations in the return on capital for
commercial banks, and a negative effect on savers. On balance, there is nothing wrong with
negative interest rates if central banks make a conscious effort to consider all these factors before
employing this policy.
B. Historical Context
The idea of negative interest rates is new in the context of globalisation and has only been
applied by the Central Banks around the beginning of the 21st century. Among the first to
embark on this unaltered measure, were the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of
Japan (BoJ) since they sought to restore inflation and growth rates which slumped after the
global financial crisis of 2008 (Rogoff, 2017). Bond yields have fallen by over ¾ since 2014,
with the ECB starting to introduce negative interest rates to combat deflation and boost the
Eurozone economy. This policy was an unprecedented deviation from the longstanding monetary
approaches and was thus, perhaps a manifestation of ECB‟s dire need to stimulate employment
in the euro area. For purpose of encouraging lending and investment in the Eurozone, the ECB
sought to impose a fee on the banks for keeping excess reserves with it. He targeted raising the
outlay for business enterprises and consumers so that total demand and consequently price levels
rise. Similarly, in 2016, something similar to the ECB‟s policy, the Bank of Japan introduced the
negative interest rates on deposits with an aim to revive the economy facing deflation risks and
accelerate monetary circulation (Fukui, 2017). The same case applies to the BoJ that embarked
on the implementation of negative interest rates for similar reasons of finding new options of
policy after the regular policies such as fixing interest rates on sub-zero levels had been
employed. Such central banks have opted for negative interest rates which are applied to help
reverse severe rates of near-stagnation in the economy. As conventional tools to accomplish
monetary policy goals failed in the environment after the collapse of the credit boom, central
banks began to search for new combinations of instruments. Deflation coupled with negative
interest rates, appeared as the last hope, aimed at halting low inflation and people‟s inactivity. It
is such a background that reveals the general dynamics of the modern central banking in the
contemporary context. Central banks have learnt to adjust to events of high uncertainty by
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applying unknown approaches to economic macro management. The persistence of negative
interest rates demonstrates that there is a shift towards an operation that is not typical in ordinary
circumstances but rather in period of crises.
C. Global Implementation
Recent developments in negative interest rates have been implemented globally in a selective
manner due to differently structured economies in the world and varying monetary policies
across the nations. In Europe, countries such as Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden have
employed negative interest rates in a bid to shield their economies from potential deflationary
threats and bullets and to curb effects of capital inflows which would otherwise lead to an
overvaluation of domestic currency as indicated by Bech and Malkhozov (2016). These nations
therefore, aimed for sustainable export prices to expand their revenues as well as resisting
deflation, which can hinder growth. The policy has had some success in these respects,
effectiveness observed as it succeeded in reducing the borrowing cost and boosting the asset
prices to certain extent. On the other hand, Asia has been more careful in its approach in spite of
the fact that it has had more cases than Europe. While Japan has managed to implement negative
rates it is noteworthy that other central banks in the region often use other such methods such as
quantitative easing to deal with similar issues (Chen et al. , 2017). Such policies have the overall
objectives of expanding money supply and supplying stimulus to the economy without
employing negative rates, which signal a more cautious approach towards the use of monetary
policies. The negative interest rates is an example of how policies effects the finance since their
introduction has had the following impacts; On the one hand, they have accomplished the
appealing goal of cutting credits costs and helping to sustain asset values in many areas at the
same time give needed stimulus to sluggish economies. For instance, reduced interest rates
promote investments and credit takeoffs for businesses, while increased asset values may
promote spending due to higher consumers‟ wealth levels. This policy has nonetheless, also
raised some criticisms regarding the global banking sectors‟ soundness and profitability in the
longer run. Negative rates have the ability to give banks a sentiment of dissatisfaction due to its
impact on the ability to maintain or indeed improve the difference between lending and deposit
rates and could easily lead to a reduced capability to lend (Arteta et al. , 2016). Also, other
studies have found that the transmission of negative rates to the remaining economy has not been
impartial. There are some professional areas that have been affected to a greater extent than
others, and some countries as well. For instance, whereas large companies and financial markets
may enjoy lower financing costs, small enterprises and individuals do not get the same kind of
advantage if banks are still hesitant to charge negative rates (Ulate, 2021). This uneven impact
thus, explains why the idea of negative interest rates becomes complicated to implement on a
global market. However, public opinion also includes certain doubts, which are associated with
the possibility of negative rates distorting the markets. Due to the negative rate regime
Frankenthal argues that it leads to a search for higher return because investors are forced thereby
pushing them into riskier assets that in turn creates asset bubbles and thus increases the financial
instability. The case studies of negative interest payouts hence, indicates the need for tackling
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monetary policy with specificity to local economies. Ideas that suit one area or nation could be
irrelevant in another location. The necessary measures should thus, be carefully designed, taking
into account the systemic differences in the world economies and possible consequences.
Concisely, practitioners have applauded the option of negative interest rates because it allows
central banks to defy deflation and foster spending, and yet, there are challenges that have been
mentioned about its usage, the policy impacts squarely on local work and the emerging reactions
of the broader financial system recommending caution to central banks while implementing them
to address what they witness locally.
2. Economic Theories
A. Keynesian Perspective
The Keynesian view about negative interest rates is based in the view of whether using fiscal
policy for boosting overall demand in order to counteract economic slumps and deflationary
forces. The Keynesian economic models promote the proposition that in a situation of economic
idle, monetary policies like reducing the interest rate to zero may not be sufficient to bring
demand pull inflation (Krugman, 2018). Therefore, negative interest rates have to be considered
as an expansion of Keynesian actions to lift investment and consumption in a situation when the
economy is stuck in a liquidity trap (Eggertsson et al. , 2019). Liquidity trap: During this
situation, the normal monetary policy tools become useless since the rate of interest can only be
set at the zero bound or a fraction above. Negative interest rates overcome this by setting a fee
for the money itself and thus promote spending and investing. It can help increase the total
demand for goods and may help an economy recover from a period of stagnation or decline
(Krugman, 2018). The theory supposes that when its expensive to hold cash, firms and
consumers will spend or invest or borrow, this stabilize or possibly enhance the economy and
fight deflation. The Keynesian theorists also make people aware of the demerits, the possibility
of negative consequences of negative interest rates. There is also an issue with the model involve
“zero lower bound on nominal interest rate,” that means there is a limit of how low interest rates
have to be before they actually are detrimental (Rognlie, 2016). Further, negative interest rates
may not work efficiently in the long run, since there would be lower returns to the next
incremental changes in rates. Another important concern pertains to the implications for savings
which have now been reduced and the banking sector profitability. Negative rates can also cut
deeply into profits because of a pinched net interest margin and are most disadvantageous when
loan losses are increasing and there is a consequent decrease in the ability to make new loans.
This implies that the policy might lose its potency once banks reduce the capacity to lend due to
reduced profitability (Eggertsson et al. , 2019). Moreover, negative rates could act as
discouragement to the accumulation of resources in form of savings; a move that results to
negative implications over the long-run concerning capital formation and balance of payments.
As seen from the Keynesian perspective, however, negative interest rates are not a silver bullet
as far as increasing the demands of projects are concerned. The Keynesian economists have
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advocated for the use of what they referred to as assistant fiscal tools to attain specific economic
objectives. In particular, fiscal motives that require increasing expenditure and/or introducing
preferences for certain forms of taxation directly affect demand, which can be significantly
stronger, at least in specific circumstances, compared to the impact of monetary motives because
the latter often appear insufficient in conjunction with, for example, high levels of inflation
(Krugman, 2018).
B. Monetarist View
The followers of monetarists approach, initiated by Milton Friedman, underscore the impact of
money supply as opposed to interests in maintaining economic equilibrium. According to
monetarism, negative interest rates are highly questionable as their application goes against the
concept that money base and interest rates should be used to target inflation and actual GDP
(Friedman & Schwartz, 1963). Monetarists believe that economic stability can only be achieved
if the quantity of money is controlled not by using interest rates which can be sent to incredibility
levels. , the dominant school of thought on monetary policy in the US and UK known as
Monetarism posited that the practice of negative interest rates are capable of distorting financial
markets and savings practices leading to potential misallocation of resources and resulting in
deleterious effects on efficiency (Taylor, 2017). About negative interests, they argue that instead
of negative rates, central banks should pursue other mechanisms, such as quantitative easing to
create more money directly. In this way they can steer activity in the economy with the help of
refinancing rate and does not require negative rates (Goodfriend, 2016). Quantitative easing is
the process whereby the central bank buys more financial securities with the purpose of injecting
more liquidity in the economy which brings down the long-term interest rates and improves
spending and investments. Monetary growth, forecasted by Monetarists also lead to such
consequences as negative interest rates that possess a number of dangers, including asset bubbles
and financial instability. Where rates are significantly low or even negative, investors may look
for even higher returns through the purchase of riskier assets, engendering more risk-taking and
the escalation of asset prices above their rational valuation floors. This behavior leads to the
formation of asset bubbles and if these burst, there are ominous signs for the stability of the
financial system (Taylor 2017). Negative interest rates take the option of holding cash at a
certain cost, thereby deterring savings and a subsequent decline in the amount of capital in the
long run. This decline can severely impact the future economic growth as there will be less funds
for investment. Despite acknowledging the problems of a zero lower bound on interest rate,
monetarists have advocated for a long RunNS monetary policy framework, but not reaching for
the latter at a nominal zero and negative interest rate policy. Their claim is that the right
approach to managing the money supply can create economic stability and cuts down the level of
uncertainty within the markets: (Friedman / Schwartz (1963).
C. Modern Monetary Theory
The unconventional perception of the policy of negative interest rate accordance to the MMT is
considered to be a part of profound strategy of economy management. It points out, as elaborated
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by MMT theorists, sovereign currency-issuing government is capable of controlling its economy
employing fiscal characteristics without the limitations typical for most of the significant
monetary systems (Kelton, 2020). From this perspective it is argued that the autonomy of
government behind fiat money means that it is not constrained as a household or a business and
therefore, has more freedom when it comes to operating with economic imperative. In this
context, negative interest rates are considered as an additional instrument to the monetary policy
framework and fiscal policy. MONETARY POLICY: They are employed in the management of
interest rates and the steering of the direction of the economy (Tymoigne & Wray, 2013). In
other words, if central banks lower interest rates into a negative territory, this will discourage
individuals from saving their money by punishing savers and rewarding borrower and investors.
This is particularly helpful during a low demand where almost all what has to be done, has been
done; such as cutting interest rates which have been at near zero. According to the advocates of
MMT sumerages, negative interest rates can be used to put the nation to work and stabilize
prices. These rates in a way can spur spending and investments hence reviving economic growth,
helping in eradicating unemployment and avoiding the occurrence of deflation (Kelton, 2020).
But as MMT notes, negative interest rates are greatly dependent on the integrated fiscal and
monetary policies to realize other objectives of the economy. Reducing inflation as a policy tool
with less application of monetary policies, including lowering of interest rates without attendant
government spending through public investment could be inadequate to foster the right volume
of economic activity (Tymoigne & Wray, 2013). The main objection to MMT has to do with the
effect that such measures may have on the idea and practice of the independence of the central
bank and the likelihood of increasing inflation (Palley, 2015). They argue that resolving too
much on fiscal policy may pose a threat to the independence of the central banks and if the
government takes fiscal measures to their extremes, the result could be high inflation.
3. Central Banks' Policies
A. European Central Bank
In June 2014, the ECB which till then, had not adopted negative interest rates, imposed a
negative deposit Facility Rate, which involved levying banks for keeping excess money in ECB.
This new regulation was should help to bring forward lending and investment by reducing the
cost of credits which in turn made banks to engage in more lending (Coeuré, 2016). It was a
decisive step in the conduct of the war against low inflation and lack of economic growth in the
Eurozone especially after the sovereign debt crisis (Frankel, 2017). Whilst negative rates are
applicable in euro area, the ECB also adopted other measures such as quantitative easing and
TLTROs. All these had been well designed in a bid to ease market conditions and enhance credit
supply to the real economy (Praet, 2017). Through sounding credit, the ECB aimed at
stimulating the economy and put pressure on the inflation rate through the availability of
sufficient amounts of money. Some scholars have argued that the proposed change may have
negative impacts on the profitability of banks and creditanst for the real economy and further
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argued that the proposed change would distort financial markets (Claeys et al. , 2018). The
effects of negative interest rates on selected indicator: Negative interest rates affect the banks‟
margins where it reduces banks‟ capacity to earn profits with the goal of sustaining their role of
being financial intermediaries. However, negative rates for longer periods can cause disruption in
the financial markets and create systemic risk in the financial system by having large incentives
to take risks which are not sustainable in the long run. Nevertheless, based on the resultative
arguments, the ECB continues to assert optimistic stance that negative interest rates serve their
main purposes of raising inflation and growth (Coeuré, 2016). In addition, they have explained
that the corresponding costs of the said policies are easily outweighed by the positives,
particularly during a time that inflation remains low and economic growth remains sluggish.
B. Bank of Japan
Negative interest rates came to the world‟s and Japan‟s, more specifically, attention in January
2016 when the BoJ decided to implement it, using the interest rate on excess reserves of -0. 1%.
This decision was part of a bigger strategy that the BoJ embarked on in a bid to meet its inflation
target of 2% and also end the perennial deflation problem that Japan has been face for many
decades (Haruhiko, 2016). The BOJ adopted negative interest rate in October, 2016 while
conducting QQE/YCC, which is an effort to guide the 10-year Japanese government bond yield
to around zero percent (Kuroda, 2016). The BoJ sought to achieve these goals through negative
rates, hence cutting borrowing costs, encouraging investment, and weakening the yen with the
objective of making exports more competitive in the global market (Fukui, 2017, p. 3).
Nevertheless, the Japanese economy faced some issues relating to stabilizing inflation rate and
regaining strong economic growth, which open the discussion over the applicability of negative
rates to such setting (Shirai, 2018). Its detractors argue that factors within the framework of the
Japanese economy, including its demographic characteristics and slow rates of increase in
productivity, limit the potential results of measures related to the use of means of monetary
policy only (Ito, 2016). These structural factors therefore, affect the implementation of monetary
policy in relation to the transmission mechanism, restraining the boosting of demand and
investment. Nevertheless, there are condemnations and contentious details on the utilization of
negative interests rates by the BoJ; the policy still constitutes an unyielding and multi-faceted
approach of the BoJ in its endeavour to obtain price stability and spearhead the economic revival
(Kuroda, 2016). The BoJ opines that although there is a possibility of negative rates being
somewhat ineffective in pointing structural issues, still there exist significant uses of negative
rates in the overall framework of a monetary policy. Negative rates, together other innovative
policy measures such as QQE and YCC assist in providing favourable financial environment
since they prompt borrowings and investing. It is hence, crucial to note that moving into negative
territory in 2016 was the Bank of Japan‟s key strategy for the monetary policymaking. Although
it has not been easy for the BoJ to achieve both his inflation and growth goals, it means that it
will retain negative rate as part and parcel of an arsenal in monetary expansion tools. As the
Japanese economy continues to face multiple difficulties, experts have discussed the possibility
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of constant issues with negative interest rates, and the ways in which these problems reflect the
intersections of monetary policy during the age of economic instability.
C. Federal Reserve
It is significant to note that while the ECB and the BoJ have begun setting negative interest rates,
the Fed has not made a use of negative interest rates, though it has pondered over the matter in
the process of devising its monetary policy strategies. During and after the implementation of the
global financial crisis, the Fed enacted their policy of near zero federal funds rate and highly
pronounced programs of QE to support the economy of the United States of America (Bernanke,
2017). While negative interest rates were under consideration, they were never seriously
considered as there was always sentiment that the recovery in the US was far more robust than in
most other developed countries (Yellen, 2016; Economist, 2015). Some of the Federal Reserve
governors have expressed worries about the negative outcome of the negative rates with the
regard to some dis-intermediation concerns with relation to money markets and profitability of
the banking sector (Powell, 2020). Furthermore, there is unanswered question about the
effectiveness of negative rates within the structural framework of the economy of U. S where
financial markets and institutions work differently than in Europe and Asian countries like
japan(Bernanke, 2017). Instead, the Fed has focused on using forward guidance, and thus
pinning a downward pressure on long-term interest rates, and engaging in large-scale asset
purchases in order to support economic activity (Powell, 2020). Similarly, the US Fed has not
been enthusiastic about implementing negative rates, and this general reluctance reflects another
more extensive on-going discussion within the community of central banks on the costs and
benefits inherent in the policy of negative interest rates (Yellen, 2016). Hence, the Fed refused to
set negative interest rates, as the structure of economy and the financial system in the United
States is different from that of European countries. In conclusion, there is a marked distinction
in the monetary policies that the ECB and the BoJ adopted as they implemented negative interest
rates as a tool of monetary policy, against the backdrop of the Fed that set for itself a different
strategy in light of the peculiar challenges facing the U. S. economy. Thus, the Fed‟s hesitancy to
employ negative rates suggests methodological and epistemological challenges surrounding the
implementation of UMPs based on their mixed effects, as well as a prudent and strategic
approach to protecting global financial stability and economic growth.
4. Effects on Currency Value
A. Exchange Rate Dynamics
Interest rates carry a great deal of power over exchange rates and negative interest rates are
particularly worthy of consideration as they can significantly change the value of a nation‟s
currency compared to other currencies. Generally, when a central bank decides to apply a
negative rate, its aim is to lower the domestic interest rates making the investments in them less
attractive hence discouraging investors from investing in the domestic market and instead
investing in other foreign markets (Hale, 2019). Such a shift in policy may lead to capital flight
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as investors transfer capital to other countries where now there appears to be higher interest rates,
which will ultimately apply pressure on the domestic currency (Rogoff, 2019). Like any other
action affecting a national currency, the depreciation of a currency has its positives and
negatives. On one hand, a depreciated currency works to increase export levels since the prices
of domestically produced goods are more appealing to foreign consumers making exports to
have the competitive edge in the global markets (Rose, 2019). This creates demand for
domestically produced goods and services in other countries which leads to the expansion in
economies and even the possible reduction of trade imbalances. However, having a depreciated
currency might increase manufactured item prices, thus fuelling inflation and limiting consumer
spending (Frankel, 2016) The following is that through imported products, the cost of such
products goes high and this will in turn make the consumers cost of goods and services to go
high hence, eradicating their standard of living. Furthermore, there is the tendency of increased
exchange rate risk when the rates become negative and among the measures that cause negative
rates include. Increasing the rate of a country and relative rate down in another results in more
fluctuations of exchange rate due to market participants‟ expectations (Farhi et al. , 2016). It is
an unfavorable feature that can strengthen fluctuations in the exchange rate dependent on
expectations for further actions of the monetary policy and the state of the economy; it means
that growing economic instability affects the possibilities and orientations for investments and
resources‟ distributing in various businesses and companies. Moreover, exchange rate fluctuation
can also become a source of risks for investors and firms with business in foreign countries or
who possess assets valued in foreign currency, as these might cost more or less to acquire due to
fluctuations in exchange rates hence affecting their revenue and financial health. In this case,
negative interest rates affect other currencies in relation to specific factors, such as the domestic
economic performance, global economy, and differences in the policies of key central banks on
the global stage (Obstfeld, 2015). During a period of generally firmer economic growth in the
domestic economy and different monetary policies in developed countries negative interest rates
could cause a devaluation of money in the domestic economy as many investors are drawn
towards foreign countries in hopes of earning higher yields. On the other hand, during periods of
economic downturns or coordinated monetary policy decisions by major central banks or during
the current exception where many central banks are reducing rates exists, negative rates‟ impact
to exchange rates may be either dampened or even switched to positive. Therefore, the effects of
negative interest can cut across the exchange rates via direct and indirect actions as well as
possessing various intended and unintended implications. Therefore, authorities should pay
attention to impacts of negative rates on currency exchange rates, turnover and inflationary
tendencies in the given environment while developing suitable monetary policies. What is more,
the market participants have to be actively monitoring the situation and adjust strategies to the
changes regarding exchanges rates linked to shifts in interest rate policies.
B. Currency Depreciation
The possibility of negative interest rates results in concerns as adverse effects such as
depreciation of the currency is experienced given that investors look for high returns elsewhere.
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Negative interest rates due to actions of a country‟s central bank reduce the returns of
investments in the country‟s currency, consequently causing investors to move their money to
assets in other countries offering better returns (Wen, 2019, p. 141). As a result, the demand for
the home money reduces its value against other monies, yet over time the demand for domestic
currency reduces (Maurer, 2018). There exist several benefits and risks that may result from the
fall in the currency value of a country‟s economy. On the positive side, it can promote export
competitiveness in two ways: first, by making domestic products cheaper for foreign consumers
through export subsidies and, second, it can aid export development by promoting economic
growth and employment opportunities (Amiti & Weinstein, 2018). Since the rate of dollar
against the Chinese RMB is down, it may make exports to the global markets attractive and may
increase the demand for domestic goods and services. This is can thus, positively impact export
revenues of firms involved and consequently stimulate overall economic growth. However, the
approach based on currency depreciation can also bring certain negative results. It can raise the
price of imported goods and services and thus result in inflation which leads to the reduction of
purchasing power of consumers(Higgins & Klitgaard, 2017). Imported inflation is therefore, a
significant problem because it alters household purchasing power, which in turn can lead to the
weakening of consumer sentiment and reduced activity levels in the economy. Furthermore,
depreciation affects borrowing costs in the global market as well as have shortcoming for the
businesses and households with FC foreign currency-denominated debt as it escalates the cost of
servicing the same debts. This could hence, lead to difficulties, containing financial problems for
entities with debts and hinder their investment and spending, so the process affects economic
development. In conclusion, the effect of currency depreciation arising from a negative interest
rate therefore on the economy depends on factors such as; the degree of openness of the
economy, the nature of the goods being exported and imported, and the exchange rate pass
through on domestic prices (Gopinath, 2016). Export-oriented nations may experience an
advantage of a low value for money as it increases nations‟ export competitiveness.
Nevertheless, one should not underestimate such negative impacts of depreciation as raised
import expenses as well as inflation risks in the course of economic considerations. This
relationship makes it particularly challenging for policy-makers when deciding on the form and
implementation of the monetary policy because they have to balance the export competitiveness
and stability of the Macroeconomy.
C. Competitive Devaluation
Negative interest rates do not alloy in competitive devaluation, which is the act of the
depreciation of a country‟s currency for a competitive advantage in trade (Evenett & Fritz,
2016). That is when central banks decrease the interest rates to below zero, that means bottom up
pressure on the exchange rate in such a manner that export becomes cheaper and import becomes
relatively more expensive (Bénassy-Quéré et al. , 2018). This trend becomes widely observable
in cases when several countries embrace negative interest rates at the same time and this results
in the weakening of the national currency in relation to other key currencies (Obstfeld & Rogoff,
2017). A strategy reminiscent of competitive devaluation refers to a situation whereby one
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country engages in a war of words through its currency value so as to gain an upper hand in
selling its products at the expense of its trading partners (Krugman, 2019). They can deepen
trade tensions and lead to measures that are protectionist and may distort trade and supply links
across the globe as well as affect friendly cooperation (Baldwin, 2012). Moreover, competitive
devaluation can cause a vicious cycle where countries seek to devalue their currency for the sake
of enhancing the competitiveness of their exports despite the negative impact on their national
economies in the long-run (Borio, 2019). The obsession with achieving competitive edge through
currency debasement can lead to fluctuation within the interlinked global system of foreign
exchange and deepen global imbalances. Policy makers therefore bear the burden to well
evaluate the probable benefits of competitive devaluation against the likely resultant future
currency war, and the potential impact on the global economy (Mundell, 2018). Although the
AOA depreciation has helped to increase export sales and growth by enhancing competitiveness
through reducing the export cost, there are associated risks such as; provoking retaliation by
trading partners and causing instabilities in the international supply chain. In this contested field
of international financial relations, policymakers try to avoid adverse trends in financial
globalization and suggest strategies for constructing more desirable conditions for sustainable
and inclusive economic growth with globalization. Negative interest rates and the case of
competitive devaluation therefore, raise a question about a complex situation of the
contemporary world economy. On the one hand, rivalries over currencies threaten to intensify, so
decision-makers need to be careful in order not to compound the existing issues and preserve the
stability and sustainability of the IFS. In the cases of competitive devaluation reaching out,
Harmony and cooperation can go a long way in finding a middle ground to replace the
competition and conflict currently defining the International economy.
5. Impact on Financial Markets
A. Bond Yields
Understandably, negative interest rates can significantly influence bond yields, regarding
government and corporate debts as well. Since negative rates are set by the monetary authority of
a nation‟s central bank, discounting the bonds‟ yield lowers the potential for investors to earn
high yields elsewhere (Bauer et al. , 2016). As a result, demand for bonds increases, and prices
rise while yields decrease because people are ready to acquire bonds at higher prices for the same
rate of return. This trend is particularly obvious in countries where negative interest rates apply
to government bonds where investors are willing to overlook negative yields and risk being
locked into losses for the sake of perceived safety and liquidity (Rey, 2015). Nonetheless,
negative yields can distort the bond market and decisions of rewarding investments thus leading
to inefficiency in the allocation of capital, and increased risk taking, (Brunnermeier & Koby
2018). The desire to earn more revenues due to dwindling interest rates may force investors to
focus more on rate of return than worrying about features such as credit history or risk of default
hence compounding imbalances in the market and consequently making financial systems more
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prone to turmoil. Additionally, negative yields can impose problems for institutional investors,
like pension funds and insurance companies, whose fixed-income investment plans are built to
meet long-term responsibilities (Gagnon et al. , 2016). While they may suffer from low return
rates for these instruments to meet their obligations, adjustments can occur in investment plans
or weight put on funding needs. On balance, the effects of negative interest rates on yield in
bonds depend on other aspects such the length of the bonds, the market conditions, as well as the
investors‟ outlooks (Caballero et al. , 2017). Maturity is the period between the date of issue and
the time the bond matures; it has an impact on the changes in interest rates which bonds are more
sensitive to, while market in the ease with which bonds can be bought or sold without causing
significant change in their prices. Another factor that affects bond yields is investors‟ emotion or
popularly referred to as Investors‟ sentiment, which depends on factors like the economic
forecast and central-bank actions. To particularise, negative interest rate can significantly alter
structure of the bond markets, change the dynamics of the bond price-yield relationship, and
impact the behavioural strategies of investors.
B. Stock Market Reactions
When it comes to the assessment of stock market reactions and equity prices, negative interest
rates may also have a substantial effect and influence the behavior of the investors. When central
banks lower interest rates below zero, then their implications is to foster economic activity and
enhance the value of the assets such as stocks ( MISHKIN FREDERIC S. , 2018). Reduced
interest rates then reduce the cost of capital and make equities more attractive relative to fixed
income assets hence stimulating demand for stocks (Boivin et al. , 2016). Moreover, negative can
lead corporations to utilize cheap funds from borrowings for share repurchases and dividends
that in turn support the stock market (Draghi, 2019). Nonetheless, the impact of negative rates on
share markets is not always straightforward as it varies with expectations and the economic
climate at the time (Gruber et al. , 2020). Specifically, negative rate may be interpreted as debt
levels warning, a sign of economic weakness or uncertainty leading to heightened volatility and
risk aversion among investors (Clarida, 2016). Also, negative rates may lead to discrepancies
over the earnings multiples of the equity market, leading to asset mispricings (Liao et al. , 2017).
Thus, the search for higher returns when accompanied by low interest rates may increase market
distortions by focusing less on the underlying value and even the market fundamentals more, and
make financial systems more prone to volatility. Nevertheless, it is unequivocal that stock
market reactions towards negative interest rates are complex and depend on a great number of
factors, including market perceptions, corporate performance, and macroeconomic factors
(Cochrane, 2016). Negative rates have shown the potential to pull up stock prices as they help to
lower cost of funds and enhance corporate activity but on the flip side, the negative rates lead to
uncertainty and market distortions which may lead to severe outcomes for investors and financial
stability. It is in this light that policymakers and market participants need to be careful in
managing the alternative to avoid having to deal with some of the challenges observed in the
global economy when negative interest rates emerged, while at the same time bearing in mind
possible effects of negative rates on stock market performance. The three attributes, therefore,
13
remain critical in managing risk paradigms and protecting the fabric and robustness of equity
markets under low- interest rate conditions.
C. Derivatives Market
Specific examples of contracts that react strongly to changes in interest rates and negative rates
are derivatives like the interest rate swaps and interest rate futures. If interest rates turn negative,
it can create problems in the models used for derivatives as well as effect behaviours assumed in
the models (Scholes, 2016). It may further complicate the determination of the fair value of
derivative financial instruments of business and make the pricing models to have more
probabilities of uncertainties. Further, negative rates create new issues regarding hedging for
those portfolios which have long standing impacts of interest rates changes (Driessen et al. ,
2018, p. 5). For example, whenever interest rate swaps used by institutions for hedging position
against higher rates business some problem arise in the management of exposures in a negative
rates environment as noted by Sims (2017). The yield curve and the sustainment of low or even
negative interest rates can jeopardise previous hedging models, which requires searching for new
directions to hedge risks. Negative rates can also affect the valuation of options and other
derivative absolute values because they increase the cost of carry and discount factors used in the
option pricing models (Hull, 2018). Negative interest rates pose a challenge and when combined
with volatility, various studies have pointed out that there can be shifts from theoretical option
price to market price. Furthermore, negative rates enhances counterparty credit risks in the
derivatives market, since, as Bilson (2017) argues, when counterparty faces negative economic
reality, there is high likelihood of defaulting on their obligations in the over the counter market.
The problem of credit risk is more pronounced in different organizations, and therefore there is
need to place enhanced measures that will protect them as well as be sensitive to the credit
standing of the counterparties . In summary, negative interest rates pose specific risks and
opportunities for the derivatives market: Negative Interest Rates and Derivatives Risk
Management and Pricing and Hedging Implications In essence, the derivatives market is not
immune to the impact of negative interest rates and thus requires proper risk management in
addition to modifying pricing models and hedging techniques (Benninga et al.
6. Banking Sector Implications
A. Profitability Concerns
The issue of negative interest becomes a real problem for many banks – let alone old schools of
thought on banking where income principally comes from interest earnings (Cecchetti &
Kharroubi, 2015). As central banks started implementing negative rates, the centrality squeeze
threat becomes direct whereby banks feel the pinch on their NIM compression. This form of
compression in NIM can greatly reduce the profitability of monetary adds for banks in the worst
possible way if the institution cannot pass on negative rates to depositors because of high market
competition or restrictions from the legislation on increasing the interest rates (Buch et al. ,
2017). Furthermore, negative rates compounded the problems in low-interest-rate situations,
14
which are; weak credit demand and increased rivalry among banks to secure high-quality
borrowers (Beck et al. , 2019). In such a situation, banks experience strains in sustaining
profitability on loans as the lending rates are reduced with a compromise on the income
generated from the deposit side. In this regard, such establishments can cut operating expenses
via subsequent downsizing like minimizing the number of branches, as a way of protecting
profitability (Caruana, 2017). Moreover negative nominal interest rates destabilize saving
because savers may search for alternatives other than putting their money in bank than having it
erode. This is can actually culminate into deposit outflows, a situation that worsens the
profitability issue of the banks (Borio and Zabai, 2016). Moreover, negative rates discourage
new deposits because, instead of keeping their money in a managed deposit flight or earning
negative returns, people will either hold cash or use other means to safeguard their money. Long-
drawn age of negative interest rates means there is a system risk to the banking industry health
and entails a reinvention of the industry models and plans (Demirgüç-Kunt et al. , 2018). Thus,
there are concerns that banks need to search for new sources of funds to replace traditional
sources such as interest income earned on loans as well as diversified income opportunities,
including charges for services provided as well as wealth management services. Technological
advancement and digital dispositions of activities can also add value by increasing efficiency and
decreasing operational costs that could work well for the banks in the prevailing unfavourable
operating environment. To counter the negative effects, banks may therefore, have to reconsider
their risk appetite and potentially look into diversification as a means to ensure sustainability of
the business. It may thus, entail venturing into different areas such as new geographic locations,
new products and services, or launching into risk layer diversification in loan facilities or
participation in fee-based activities like investment banking and securities dealing. Engagement
with the counterparts in the regulators and policymakers is critical to address structural issues
and develop a sustainable model for the banking institutions under permanently low or negative
rate environment. Rules that could improve the environment in which non-M Kens operate –
recalculation of capital standards, the introduction of seismal measures – can ensure banks go
through the impact of negative rates. Action and orchestration management are thus, critical for
the survival of banks during the extended period of negative interest rates.
B. Lending Practices
Negative interest rates have numerous implications on banking operations specifically
concerning ways of credit extension to borrowers or consumers (Jiménez et al. , 2019).
Ordinarily, the lowered interest rate ought to elicit borrowing and investment activity which, in
turn, would help to boost economic activity (Demiralp & Eisenschmidt, 2019). However, Jordà
et al. (2019) note that in a real world setting, the pass through of negative rates to the lending
rates can be dampened by profitability motives, risk considerations and regulations. Negative
rates pose some risks for banks as they could lead to reductions in their NIM over time;
therefore, the extent to which negative rates reduce lending could vary depending on how banks
seek to maintain their profitability: For instance, the banks might become more selective in their
lending, focusing more on the low-risk clients or sectors in order to minimize their risk of default
15
(Gropp et al. , 2020). In particular, selective lending may lead to credit squeezes for risky
individuals or sectors, who face difficulties in obtaining funding and losing access to fresh
capital, and thus might be locked out of potential investment and expansion. Also, credit
markets can be misaligned, which in turn, means that capital will be misallocated and leverage in
some particular industries can be accentuated through negative rates (Altavilla et al. , 2019).
Farmakis, in his quest to seek yield given the low interest rates, companies are able to issue more
debt in order to finance non-Financial investments such as share repurchase or dividend payouts
as opposed to productive capital investments (Altavilla et al. , 2019). This leads to further asset
price bubble formation and a compounding of sources of financial fragilities. Furthermore,
negative rates can encourage reckless lending in an effort to achieve larger profits margin at the
cost of creditworthiness, which in turn elevates the likelihood of stability in the system (Buch &
Goldberg, 2017). CRA aggressively lends in a low-yield environment leading to increased
lending credit especially to risky borrowers and hence more risky assets conveyed to the balance
sheets implying higher shock rates for the financial system. In more detail, the concept of
negative interest rates may also appear paradoxical as an approach to stimulate lending activity,
with its effectiveness depending on the market conditions, banking risks, and regulatory
requirements during their implementation in practice (Hannan & Stein, 2017). Local policy
makers have to closely pay attention to the consequences of negative rates on lending activities
and financial stability in a country, thus, involving measures to prevent possible credit risks and
responsibly provide credit instruments in the economy.
C. Financial Stability
It has been ascertained that negative interest rates can indeed have advanced effects on the
financial stability since they affect the banking and overall financial structures (Brunnermeier, et
al. , 2020). Concern arises when there is a long-term application of negative rates due to negative
impacts on the strength of banks and their balance sheets by detracting from profitability and
capital adequacy, which would compromise their buffer against losses and credit risk during the
risky phase (Acharya et al. , 2019). The consequences of negative rates for net interest margins
(NIM) threaten profitability of the banking industry: banks „compressed‟ net interest margins
(NIM) due to negative rates reduce the flow of interest income through increasing revenues from
higher-yielding assets (Draghi, 2017). This search for yield can encourage risk taking among
banks, which can lead to under-pricing of risks; in other words, banks build up risks in the
system (Köhler et al. , 2019). Moreover, negative interest rates impact other sectors of financial
institutions like insurance firms and pension funds through their activities indicating that they
hold huge volumes of fixed income instruments in order to meet their liabilities (Pozsar et al. ,
2017). These institutions may fail to generate lucrative profits at such low rates thereby putting
solvency of these institutions at risk (Bennett & Schularick, 2019). Therefore, negative rates
have negative impacts on the overall financial system and may lead to financial system risks and
at the same time may worsen the system‟s fragilities. Furthermore, they reason that negative
rates create negative impacts on financial markets and consequences on the effectiveness of price
mechanics such that they alter market structures and increase fluctuations (Borio, 2019).
16
Investors in search of yield do so in low-interest-rate conditions may place their investments in
risky assets including helping in the formation of asset bubbles and cyclical market imbalances.
In general, the negative interest rate policy, though might give short-term push in the economy,
entails variety of threats to financial stability in the long run, and therefore, should not be
implemented carelessly, but rather under the strict supervision and coordination with several
authorities recommended by Hanson et al. (2019). Negative rates also bring some risks to the
financial stability, thus policymakers should analyze beneficial and adverse effects of negative
rates and develop appropriate measures to minimize possible negative impact. This may range
from improving the quality of prudential regulation, improving supervision and ens MB
monitoring of financial institutions, and supporting better transparency and disclosure in
financial markets.
7. Global Trade Consequences
A. Trade Balances
Interest rates also have an indirect influence of a considerable nature in such things as various
balances in the global economy such as trade balances due to several interrelated factors such as
exchange rates and the relative cost of exporting and importing goods and services (Obstfeld &
Rogoff, 2017). This is usually used in a bid to influence exporting capabilities; currently, several
central banks have enacted negative interest rates on currencies (Frankel, 2016). Depreciation of
domestic currency becomes as the outcome that stimulates exports while simultaneously
reducing import demand, which would help to eliminate the trade deficits (Mundell, 2018). This
process is styled in the following manner: the domestic currency weakens and in turn, the export
goods become less costly for the foreign purchaser in international terms. This, in its turn, can
cause a rise in the import side‟s demand for the domestically-produced production of goods and
services, resulting in increased export volumes. On the same note, it also make imported goods
and services relatively expensive to citizens and business from the originating country hence
may reduce their demand towards the foreign products. Thus, exports would grow faster than
imports, and therefore the trade balance would be positively affected giving a surplus that
improves the trade balance. Nonetheless despite the leverage that low interest rates have on
influencing trade balances through depreciation of the country‟s currency, it often has has the
following complications. One of these is the mix of exports and imports of a country since this
constitutes one of the most significant factors that leads to the realization of the effects of FDI. It
is therefore possible that export fluctuations arising out of exchange rate changes may be
considerably constrained if a large proportion of the exports are of non-essential goods or
services that have low out-turn elasticity of demand. Likewise, if a country depends on import
for essential consumption or dictates non-salable products, the decline in import need may not
compensate for the benefits of improved export competitiveness. A stretch in demand from
overseas moreover, plays a critical role in determining when low-interest rates spur or affect
trade balances. Where foreign consumers or businesses are sensitive to changes in relative prices,
17
depreciation of the domestic currency can lead to a rise in exports in extents larger than the
impact on the trade balance. Furthermore, the way in which exchange rates volativity affect
relative adjustments in the prices of imported and exported goods referred to as exchange rate
pass through mechanism play a vital role in determining the performance of low interest rates in
altering trade balances (Levchenko & Zhang, 2016). Alternatively, where depreciation or
appreciation occurs, if exchange rate variations are fully passed through to import and export
prices, the impact on trade balances appear to be more significant. Nevertheless, this form of
incomplete exchange rate pass-through can dampen the effect of low interest rates on the trade
balances and therefore make their utilization in addressing imbalances ineffective. In other
words, it is also worth stating that an ability of low-interest rates for exports‟ stimulation and
improvement of trade balances means depreciation of own currency deeply depends on a range
of factors, such as the structure of exports, the elasticity of foreign demand, and pass-through
rates of the exchange rates. These factors therefore, need to be given due consideration while
applying interest rate differential strategies, designed for improving export capacity and
correcting trade deficits. However, to enhance the effects of lower interest rates on the balances
of trade and other reserves, it may be necessary to back it up with corresponding measures.
B. Export Competitiveness
This is expected to make export goods more competitive since the cost of producing the goods is
decreased by way of negative interest rates thus making the domestic output cheaper for the
foreign buyer. Working through the depreciation of domestic currency purposely brought by the
central bank of a certain country once it implements the negative rates makes exports more
inviting and competitive in the global market (Amiti & Weinstein, 2018). One of the effects of
trade opp tunnels is an increase in export volume and share in the market since buyers from other
nations prefer locally manufactured goods and services due to their relatively low price
translation. This increase in demand for exports can lead to the creation of more employment
opportunities in export industries thus boosting domestic economic growth and development. In
addition, through negative rates, firms can take advantage of the reduced cost of capital and
invest in profiting exporting sectors to increase improved their competitiveness in the global
market (Krugman, 2018). However, the assumption made here is that export competitiveness
received from negative interest rates has it positives, which may however be reduced by several
factors. Global demand conditions also pose a major shift such as; A change in demands
requirements can affect the opportunity for countries to capitalize on competitiveness. Similarly,
trade barriers or distances in the supply chains may make it challenging for exporters to benefit
efficiently from the depreciated currency (Altavilla et al. , 2019). Finally, it also exposes
weaknesses regarding the sustainability and longer-term impact of negative interest rates as the
means for achieving enhancement of export competitiveness is dependent upon other
macroeconomic and geopolitical factors (Gopinath, 2016). Long-term declines in currency
values, for example, may lead to apprehensions among trading partners that the particular
country is engaging in „currency manipulation,‟ which may lead to adverse trade policy
responses and even protectionism (Evenett & Fritz, 2016). Such developments can adversely
18
affect the stability of export and import relations and prevent the achievement of the ultimate
positive effects of negative interest rate environments, export competitiveness, in international
trade. Negative interest rates are helpful therefore, enabling export competitiveness from a
positive perspective, not only imposing challenges and risks but also holding certain benefits and
thus, opportunities for export competitiveness in the negative perspective in the long run.
Although they may indeed work wonders when it comes to the appeal and viability of exports by
cutting the costs of production and thus making the domestically produced goods more appealing
and easily accessible to foreign buyers, their efficiency and sustainability is most often than not,
dependent on a plethora of factors imposed by the world economy that include global demand,
trade barriers and such geopolitical factors as global tensions. This therefore, means that the
adoption of negative interest rates should be accompanied by measures that will help minimize
adverse effects potentially linked to the practice while maximizing positive impacts required to
enhance export competitiveness and thus, support the growth of the country‟s economy.
C. Import Costs
Presumably, negative interest rates may affect imports through an impact on import costs by
affecting exchange rates as well as prices of imported goods and services (Higgins & Klitgaard,
2017). Negative rates also mean that whenever the central bank of a certain country set this
policy, there is usually a depreciation of the local currency and this makes imports for the
domestic consumers and firms relatively costly than before (Chinn & Hiro, 2019). Such an
appreciation effect could mean that a company‟s import prices go up reducing the buying power
of the consumers which may culminate in inflationary pressures (Frankel, 2016). Negative
interest rate barely influences the export prices as it has a positive impact on the domestic
currency thereby implying that an increase in price of imports may be experienced. An increase
in import prices means that domestic consumers and/or businesses may need to spend more on
imported goods which in turn affects their consumption or expenditure. This, in turn since it can
drive up the general price levels it is likely to add to or lead to inflation within an economy. In
addition, negative interest rates entail distortion of import mix since firms undertake measures to
counter the effects of depreciation of the currency. As a result of the high costs of imports, firms
respond by using more locally produced products rather than imported ones, which means that
the composition of imports in relation to local manufacturers is likely to change (Gagnon et al. ,
2016). This change in product import composition may have significant implications for national
industries and citizens, as it may alter the structure of the markets within which these industries
operate. Nevertheless, the fact is that negative interest rates have some impact on the cost of
imports in various degrees. They thus, include factors such as the extent of pass-through from
exchange rate changes to import price levels. Where changes in exchange rates are translated to
import prices instantly and in its totality, the pressure on the costs of imported goods may be
higher. On the other hand, if exchange rate pass-through, which is the extent to which changes in
the exchange rates are reflected in domestic prices of imports, is incomplete, then the negative
rates‟ impact on the costs of imports may be diluted (Fratzscher, 2019). Also the degree of price
sensitivity of such products through interaction of import costs with the elasticity of demand and
19
existence of domestic substitutes influences the degree of impact of negative rates. relative
inelasticity of demand. In cases of import price fluctuations, where the demand for imported
goods has more or less remained quite inelastic, consumers may not be very sensitive to price
changes due to depreciation of their currency. In the same way, availability of close substitute
domestic products can prevent the egregious effect that may accrue from high import cost on
consumers and other firms (Bénassy-Quéré et al. , 2018). In addition, fluctuations in the costs of
imports due to negative interest rates may also have implications for industries that have use
import inputs and materials, especially for manufacturing. Increased cost of imported goods
could lead to increased cost of manufacturing in these industries which can affect its
competitiveness and profitability. Furthermore, these cost hikes could be incurred by consumers
through higher prices set by businesses, which are likely to exacerbate inflationary forces in the
economy according to Maurer (2018). It can be therefore be stated that, negative interest rates,
can thus affect import costs in terms of exchange rates, however other variables and policies can
also play a crucial role. This is where the conjoint factor of pass-through of exchange rates to
import prices, demand elasticities of imported products, and availability of domestic substitutes
determine the total import cost impact of negative rates. These considerations therefore, require
that policymakers need to weigh them when evaluating the import implications of negative
interest rate policies while developing an adequate policy response to any adverse shocks.
20
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