3 November 2015. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is on an expedition into uncharted territory of monetary policy. Since the fixed exchange rate was lifted and negative interest rates were introduced, Switzerland has entered uncertain and unknown areas under the leadership of a small group of financial experts. The SNB is not alone on its expedition. Foreign central banks, too, are navigating through economic and political zones which no one has entered before. Reputable academics will speak about current events in and around central banks from different perspectives.

Launching discussion

On 10 November, Prof. em. Dr. Ernst Baltensperger from the University of Berne and Prof. Dr. Monika Bütler from the University of St.Gallen will launch the lecture series. The retired professor of economics will discuss "the National Bank's tasks yesterday and today" with the guests. The HSG professor of economics will chair the discussion. On 17 November, the historical angle on central banks will come into play. Prof. Dr. Tobias Straumann from the Institute for Empirical Research in Economics of the University of Zurich will talk about "Central banks, currency systems and financial crises in the 19th and 20th centuries".

The new world

"The new world of the central banks: conclusions from the legal perspective" will be the topic treated by Dr. Hans Kuhn from the business law firm Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd. His lecture will take place on 24 November. On 1 December, Prof. em. Dr. Jörg Baumberger, Associate Professor of Economics at the HSG, will talk about "Projects for the fundamental reform of the capitalist financial architecture". The final evening of the lecture series will belong to Prof. Dr. Urs Birchler from the Department of Banking and Finance of the University of Zurich. On 8 December, he will lecture on "The Swiss National Bank between price stability and financial stability".

Besides their high degree of expertise, all five speakers also have the necessary independence to be able to speak openly about politically controversial issues. The five lectures about the central banks will take place at the University of St.Gallen in Room HSG 09-012. They will start at 6.15 p.m. Dates: 10, 17 and 24 November, 1 and 8 December 2015.

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