MACROPRUDENTIAL POLICIES IN LATIN AMERICA Institutional foundations*

One of the legacies of the financial crisis in the United States and Europe is the adoption of macroprudential policies in an increasing number of countries, including in Latin America. These policies aim to prevent future financial crises through the adoption of far-reaching reforms that involve changing the institutional framework for monetary and financial policies, using models and indicators to monitor the buildup of systemic risks, and utilizing instruments designed to prevent the materialization of those risks. The objective of this paper is to examine the institutional aspects of macroprudential policy in Latin America. In particular, it assesses the strengths and weaknesses of existing institutional models and offers suggestions to improve the effectiveness of those models. The analysis focuses on the two main institutional arrangements that exist in this region, the "Pacific" model which includes countries like Chile, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica and Mexico, and the "Atlantic" model, which includes countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.