Central bank communication during normal and crisis time

Résumé : Central banks have intensified their communication strategy since the mid 1990’s and it has become an important instrument of central banks’ policymaking toolkit. A large empirical evidence suggests that central bank communication has effectively enhanced the transmission of monetary policy before and during the financial crisis. Nevertheless, the use of communication as a policy instrument is fragile since it depends on economic agents’ perceptions and beliefs. It is crucial that central bank communication be consistent with policy decisions.