Ravi Menon: MAS' Annual Report 2013/14 - economic overview and
challenges
Remarks by Mr Ravi Menon, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, at
MAS' Annual Report 2013/14 Press Conference, Singapore, 24 July 2014.
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1 Good morning. Welcome to MAS' annual report press conference.
2 I will touch on four broad areas today. First, growth and inflation, including asset prices;
second, our regulatory measures to safeguard the interests of consumers of financial
products; third, the growth of the financial sector and fourth, an overview of MAS' financial
results.
3 Let me start with the economy.
Momentum slows but economy on track to meet 2-4% growth forecast
4 The economy grew an average of 0.4% on q-o-q seasonally adjusted, annualised (SAAR)
basis over the first two quarters. Export-oriented sectors were sluggish in the first quarter due
to the slippage of final demand in the US and China. In the second quarter, there was
modest improvement in trade-related services - wholesale trade and transport and storage
sectors. But electronics production remained weak.
5 Looking ahead for the year, the economy remains on track to grow at 2-4%. The economy
has already averaged 3.4% growth in the first half on a year-on-year basis. More importantly,
sequential quarter-on-quarter growth should see a modest pick-up in the second half even if
there is some drag to year-o-year growth due to the high base in the second half of last year.
6 There are several key factors to the improved prospects for the rest of the year.
7 First, the external environment remains generally favourable, with both major engines of
global growth intact.
• In the US, recent data indicate continued economic expansion. Both manufacturing
and services PMIs are up. The labour market continues to improve. There is also a
modest rise in business spending, which is a key driver of growth in the US.
• In China, growth should come within the consensus range of 7-7.5%. There are
some headwinds from ongoing structural reforms but targeted policy measures will
provide support to the economy.
8 Second, sectors dependent on regional demand - such as financial intermediation
services, business services, and chemicals - should do well. They will benefit from higher
regional incomes as the pick up in exports bolsters domestic demand in Asia.
9 Third, domestic oriented sectors should stay resilient. The construction industry is
supported by a pipeline of infrastructure projects while domestic corporate and consumer
spending will lend support to the info-communications and other essential services such as
healthcare and education.
10 However, there are downside risks to the growth outlook. This year, geopolitical risks are
larger than macroeconomic risks. The MAS is closely monitoring the ongoing conflicts in the
Middle East and Ukraine. Should the conflicts intensify or drag on, they could adversely
impact confidence, generate financial market volatility, and increase global oil prices. These
would, in turn, affect Singapore's growth, particularly in trade-related sectors and
sentimentsensitive segments in the financial services.
11 Having said that, barring significant escalation, moderate spillovers to Singapore from
these geopolitical developments should be accommodated within current forecast range of
2-4% growth.
Overall inflation has moderated but underlying price pressures persist
12 Let me move on to inflation.
13 In assessing inflation in Singapore, we look at two main indicators. First, All-Items or
headline inflation, which is the most comprehensive measure. Second, core Inflation, which
excludes the volatile components of car and housing costs and is a better measure of
underlying inflation.
14 Core or underlying inflation in turn has two sources: imported and domestic.
15 I will start with imported inflation, which has been flat. On average, imported inflation has
been zero so far this year, compared to same period last year. The appreciation of the
Singapore Dollar has neutralised the impact of foreign prices on domestic prices.
16 However, the prices of non-cooked food items - although imported - have been volatile
and generally higher. Papaya prices went up by 16% (y-o-y) in first half of this year, while
banana prices went up by 18%. This was due to the effects of adverse weather in Thailand
and Malaysia. At the same time, the prices of oranges went down by 7% and tomatoes by
10%. Looking beyond fruits, sugar prices were down, wheat prices were up, while the price
of Thai white rice was broadly stable.
17 Taking all non-cooked food items together, prices went up by 2.8% in H1 2014. This is
higher than overall inflation. The greater volatility reflects the periodic shocks in global food
prices that have become more frequent in recent years.
18 Domestic inflationary pressures, however, remain firm. These stem mainly from the
passthrough of higher costs, particularly wages, to consumer prices. The cost of services most
affected, given their high labour content. As a result, the cost of eating out, education,
healthcare, and recreation rose at a faster rate compared to overall inflation in the first half of
2014.
19 Taking together imported and domestic sources of inflation, Core Inflation was higher than
the historical average but well contained - the forecast for Core Inflation is unchanged at
2-3%. Core Inflation was 1.8% in the second half of 2013, rose to 2.1% in first half of 2014,
and is likely to increase slightly over the rest of the year.
20 But overall or CPI-All Items inflation is on a different trend. All-Items inflation was 1.9% in
the second half of 2013, came down to 1.7% in the first half of this year, and is likely to
continue easing through the rest of the year. The MAS is therefore narrowing the 2014
forecast range for All-Items inflation to 1.5-2.0% from 1.5-2.5%. Overall inflation is falling
due to the moderation in housing costs and car prices. Government measures to cool the
property market have helped stabilise prices and rent and higher COE supply has lowered
premiums.
21 Therefore the focus of MAS' monetary policy, as before, is on Core Inflation. Just as we
were not unduly alarmed when All-Items inflation was running at 5%, we should not be
complacent now just because All-Items inflation is running below 2%. Our focus remains on
Core Inflation, which has persisted at 2-3% for the last few years. Monetary policy has
therefore been steady and consistent during this period - a gradual and modest appreciation
path for S$NEER since April 2010. This was reaffirmed most recently in April 2014. This
policy stance will ensure that Core Inflation stays within 2-3% this year.
22 We expect Core Inflation to be higher than historical average of 2%, during period of
economic restructuring next few years. The aim of our monetary policy is to keep core
inflation expectations anchored at around 2.5%. Inflation may exceed this level from time to
time but we aim to ensure that it does not do so on sustained basis.
Property cooling measures working but too early to ease
23 Next, I will touch on to the property market.
24 The MAS has also been focused on asset price inflation in recent years, especially in the
property market. The MAS, working with other government agencies, has introduced several
rounds of measures to cool an overheated property market.
25 There were three motivations behind MAS policy measures.
• Anchor inflation expectations. High and rising asset prices could fuel expectations of
still higher general prices.
• Support financial stability. Unsustainably high property prices could create risks of
financial stability given the banking system's loan exposure to property.
Encourage greater financial prudence. The combination of global low interest rates
•
and high asset prices could lead to some households over-extending themselves
financially.
26 How far have these policy objectives been met?
• There are some indications that property market is stabilising. The private property
price index has moderated by cumulative 3.3% over the last three quarters. This has
alleviated the pressure on headline inflation, as I have explained earlier.
• The banking system is resilient to property market shocks. Stress tests of our banks
during last year's Financial Sector Assessment Programme by the IMF showed they
were resilient against various stress scenarios. These stresses included a
combination of: domestic interest rates increasing by more than 200 bps;
unemployment rate rising above 10%; cumulative decline in equity prices up to 70%
over three years; and cumulative decline in residential property prices up to 50%
over three years. MAS' own stress test this year - assuming disorderly unwinding of
quantitative easing in US and higher level of USD funding squeeze - shows similar
results.
• Household balance sheets are in better shape. Last year I highlighted MAS'
concerns over rising household leverage. Property-related measures have helped to
strengthen overall household balance sheets in two ways. First, they have tempered
the growth of household debt. Year-on-year growth of household debt has
moderated from nearly 13% in the third quarter of 2011 to 5.5% in the first quarter of
2014. Second, the risk profile of new housing loan borrowers has improved. Almost
all new housing loans granted since introduction of Total Debt Servicing Ratio, or
TDSR, were within the 60% threshold.
27 But it is too early to ease property-related measures
28 The measures can be broadly categorised into structural and cyclical measures.
• Structural measures include the TDSR and caps on loan tenures. They aim to
ensure that households do not take on financial obligations beyond their repayment
capacity. Structural measures are therefore meant for the long-term.
• Cyclical measures include MAS' LTV limits and MOF's stamp duties. They are
designed to prevent households from over-extending themselves in purchasing
property during periods of rapid price increases or elevated prices. Cyclical
measures can be recalibrated according to market conditions.
29 It is too early to unwind cyclical measures as the risk factors have not changed.
• Property prices remain at elevated levels. Prices went up 60% over last four years
but have declined by just 3.3% over the last three quarters.
• Global interest rates are still at historical lows. Relaxing property measures in the
current easy liquidity environment may set off another spiral of price increases.
• The level of debt among highly leveraged households remains high. For these highly
leveraged households, reducing the level of leverage will take time. They need to
work with their banks and commit to debt repayment plans.
30 Hence on the whole, MAS' assessment is that it is premature to ease property cooling
measures now. It is important that we secure the gains we have made in stabilising the
market and restoring financial prudence.
Comprehensive measures to safeguard interests of consumers of financial products
31 On the financial regulatory and supervisory front, I will focus on measures being taken to
safeguard the interests of consumers of financial products.
32 Several measures were announced recently and some will be announced soon. Let me
set the context for these measures - motivating factors, overall approach, and how the
various pieces fit together.
33 Three trends are shaping market for financial products.
• Low interest rates globally have spurred investors to seek better returns.
• Growing affluence and financial awareness have generated greater demand for a
broader range of retail investment products.
• There has been an increased sophistication and variety in financial products offered
to retail public.
34 Against this backdrop, MAS is taking a multi-pronged approach to safeguard consumer
interests. First, we are enhancing regulatory safeguards for retail investors in unconventional
investment schemes. Second, we will facilitate retail access to simple, lower cost products.
Third, MAS will help to empower consumers with enhanced disclosure and information
access. Fourth, we are raising standards of financial advice to consumers.
35 MAS issued a consultation paper earlier this week with proposals on the safeguards for
retail investors in unconventional investment schemes. Let me elaborate here on our thinking
and rationale.
36 Many retail consumers have ventured into unconventional and unregulated financial
products promising higher yields. But these products may also entail risks that are not well
understood by retail investors. MAS has therefore decided to extend to these unconventional
products regulatory safeguards that apply to capital markets.
37 In extending boundaries of regulation, we are guided by the need to balance costs and
benefits.
• If we take too broad-brush an approach, we could end up regulating all commercial
arrangements involving some form of investment return. For example, buying gold
jewellery or piece of art that could appreciate in value over time. This will only add to
costs without advancing consumer interests.
• But if we craft the regulatory framework too narrowly, products may be deliberately
structured to fall outside the regulatory perimeter. For example, restricting regulation
to land-banking arrangements will fail to capture other schemes operating on similar
premises, such as investments in ostrich farms or in plantations.
38 Therefore, taking into account market developments in Singapore, MAS will selectively
enhance regulatory safeguards for retail investors in buy-back arrangements involving
precious metals, which has the same economic effect as borrowing cash from customers;
and collectively managed investment schemes. The latter includes land-banking and forestry
schemes. These are in substance collective investments for which rules on public offerings
and disclosure should apply.
39 One reason why consumers venture into unconventional and often risky products is that
simple, lower cost products not easily available. MAS working to address this.
40 Following FAIR recommendation, MAS will introduce a direct channel through which
consumers can purchase insurance products that focus on meeting their protection needs.
Such products will be cheaper as consumers do not need to pay for distribution costs. The
features of these products will also be largely standardised, making them easier to
understand and compare across products.
41 By early next year, consumers who do not require financial advice will be able to
purchase term and whole life insurance products, directly from insurers. MAS will be
announcing details on this by the end of the month.
42 MAS is also working to facilitate better access to fixed income products. We are seeing
growing retail investor interest in fixed income products, e.g. plain vanilla corporate bonds.
While the risk-return profiles of such fixed income products are easier to understand they are
not readily available to retail investors.
43 MAS reviewing how retail access to fixed income products can be improved. We are
looking at how disclosure requirements can be streamlined for issuers satisfying certain
criteria such as issuances of a certain size or with a track record. The idea is to make it
easier for issuers to offer bonds to retail investors while maintaining sufficient safeguards.
MAS will be putting out proposals for consultation next month.
44 Financial products have become more innovative and complex to cater to investors along
a wider spectrum of financial sophistication and risk appetites. While this is good, it does
mean we need to empower consumers to navigate this complexity, understand the
riskreturn trade-offs, and compare and choose products most suitable to their financial
objectives.
45 I will highlight three initiatives in this direction.
• Complexity-risk framework. MAS proposes to introduce a new tool to aid consumers
in comparing inherent complexities and risks of investment products.
• Product highlight sheet (PHS). PHS requirements were first introduced in 2010 to
govern sale and marketing of more complex investment products like asset-backed
securities and structured notes. MAS is proposing to extend requirements for PHS
to offers of equities, bonds, and hybrid securities. MAS has gathered feedback on
the proposals and will announce our final decision soon.
• Web aggregator. MAS working closely with the industry and consumer groups to
develop a web aggregator so consumers can compare term insurance, whole life,
and endowment products. The online portal is targeted for roll-out in early 2015.
46 There are also initiatives to improve the quality of financial advice to consumers. The
majority of retail investors obtain financial advice from and purchase investment products
through financial advisory (FA) firms. Thus, it is critical that FA firms and their representatives
offer quality financial advice to help consumers make appropriate financial decisions.
47 MAS is enhancing standards for FA industry in a few ways.
• We are raising admission and ongoing requirements for FA firms. These
requirements will be in place in 2015.
• We have also set higher minimum academic entry requirements for FA
representatives with effect from 1 February 2014 and will mandate minimum hours
of continuing professional development training for them in 2015.
• MAS will also implement in 2015 a balanced scorecard remuneration framework that
will recognise FA representatives and their supervisors for providing good quality
advice.
48 Ultimately, consumers must take responsibility for their financial decisions. But MAS will
continue to work with the industry and other government agencies to enhance financial
literacy among Singaporeans so that they can take sound financial decisions. MoneySENSE,
the national financial education programme, is the centrepiece of this effort. We seek the
media's support and partnership in this effort so that we can reach out to all Singaporeans.
Another good year for Singapore's financial centre
49 Moving on to our financial sector, Singapore's financial centre continues to perform well.
Financial and insurance services grew by 10.8% last year. Four segments are worth
highlighting.
50 Asset management. Assets under management (AUM) grew close to 12% to reach
S$1.82 trillion in 2013. Growth was broad-based - both traditional as well as alternative
managers like hedge funds and private equity players registered good increases in AUM.
51 Foreign exchange and derivatives. Singapore is now third largest FX centre globally after
London and New York. Two trends augur well for Singapore as FX and derivatives centre.
• One, regulatory reforms to promote greater transparency in markets will spur growth
of exchange-traded instruments globally. This "futurisation" trend plays to SGX's
strength in derivatives and it has seen strong growth in equity index futures trading.
• Two, investors in Asian time zone will need a comprehensive suite of pan-Asian risk
management products. SGX is well-placed to fill this need. SGX launched six Asian
FX futures contracts in 2013 and plans to launch RMB futures in H2 this year
alongside other currencies.
52 Insurance. Singapore is Asia's leading insurance centre. Offshore insurance business in
both direct and reinsurance markets is growing strongly. The offshore non-life insurance
business has grown by average 11% per annum in the last 3 years. Singapore has also built
up significant capacity and expertise for large, complex and specialty risks. Most large
reinsurance and specialty Asian risks can now be fully placed in Singapore.
53 RMB business. There has been strong growth in RMB activities since the launch of RMB
clearing services in Singapore in 2013. Growth is broad-based across various activities -
deposits, trade finance, cash management and FX trading. Banks have expanded their RMB
capabilities to serve needs of corporates based in Singapore and region. Based on SWIFT's
recent data, Singapore is currently the top RMB offshore clearing centre outside China/HK.
54 Looking ahead, MAS will focus on two areas to further develop the RMB market.
• First, deepen range of RMB products and services, in particular, in fund
management and capital markets. The award of RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional
Investor (RQFII) quota to Singapore financial institutions to invest RMB funds in
China is a significant step. It will help expand the range of RMB investment
products, given growing investor interest in China. We have had seven successful
Lion City bond issuances worth RMB10.5 billion to-date, and we will look to promote
greater bond issuance activity on a sustained basis.
• Second, enhance market infrastructure to facilitate growth of RMB activities. In
response to market demand, MAS has recently introduced RMB Overnight Liquidity
Facility to meet end-of-day RMB liquidity needs in the market. We will work with the
industry to develop a RMB Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System to raise the
efficiency of RMB payment settlements in Singapore.
Investment gains stable but profits higher due to translation effects
55 Finally, I shall touch on MAS' financial results.
56 MAS recorded overall profit of S$15.8 billion for FY2013/14. In FY2012/13, we recorded a
loss of S$10.6 billion. However, focusing on these numbers misses larger point about how
MAS' investments have performed.
57 As I had explained on previous occasions, MAS' overall profit position is strongly
influenced by currency translation effects - these are the effects of converting value of our
reserves in foreign currency to Singapore Dollars (SGD).
• A weaker SGD means a positive translation effect, i.e. investment gains on our
foreign assets are amplified when reported in SGD.
• Conversely, a stronger SGD means a negative translation effect, i.e. investment
gains are smaller or even negative when measured in SGD. But these translation
effects have no bearing on the international purchasing power of MAS' reserves.
58 Therefore, it is important to look at the underlying investment gains holding the SGD
exchange rate constant to strip out currency translation effects. When we do this, for
FY2013/14, MAS posted foreign investment gains of S$10.6 billion, comparable to
investment gains of S$9.4 billion for FY 2012/13.
59 For this financial year, we recorded positive translation effects as SGD weakened against
the USD, EURO and GBP. In the last financial year, we had negative translation effects
because the SGD appreciated against these three currencies as well as the JPY.
60 To help make sense of MAS' underlying investment performance, we have provided a
write-up on page 27 of annual report, showing the overall profit position, currency translation
effects, and investment gains.
61 As shown in the chart on page 27, MAS' investment gains have been relatively stable.
This reflects our conservative investment strategy, which balances the need to hold sufficient
liquidity to support the conduct of monetary policy with the aim to preserve the international
purchasing power of the foreign reserves. MAS' portfolio is well-diversified with a risk profile
that is commensurate with our role as a central bank.
62 I will stop here, and will be happy to take your questions.