Mr. Ferguson remarks on the challenge of preparing for the Year 2000
Remarks by Mr. Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., a member of the Board of Governors of the US Federal
Reserve System, at the Global Year 2000 Summit in London on 16/10/98.
It is a pleasure to speak with you today in my role as Chairman of the Joint Year
2000 Council. These summits are highly valuable as a forum for sharing information and fostering a
shared sense of purpose. Today, I would like to reinforce the importance of the Year 2000 challenge,
describe some of the work of the Joint Year 2000 Council, and suggest some actions that you might
wish to undertake in order to help your firms, your countries, and the world to prepare for the
century date change.
Year 2000 Challenge in the Context of Current Financial Turmoil
In the past weeks we have heard much about the current challenges facing the global
financial system. National economies and international capital markets are facing turmoil, with
liquidity and risk being repriced rapidly. Recession is impacting significant numbers of nations, and
even the world's strongest economies are facing unusual threats to continued healthy growth. These
uncertain economic times create a difficult backdrop for keeping the appropriate level of focus on
long-term challenges, such as the Year 2000 problem. Without in any way diminishing the
importance and urgency of the immediate financial challenges, I do want to emphasize the
importance of giving continued attention to the challenge of completing preparations for the Year
2000.
This may seem like a somewhat arcane topic to discuss as world financial markets
struggle to right themselves. However, the current global financial upset has reminded us that the
world is truly interdependent and that counterparty and country risks can be, and are, re-evaluated
quickly. An exchange rate problem that started in a small economy in Southeast Asia has, within a
little more than one year, created a contagion that may potentially impact the growth performance, as
well as financial performance, in the most highly developed industrial economies. Similarly Year
2000 problems, if not addressed, remedied and planned for, can have unexpected spillover effects.
Because of this interconnectedness, it is most urgent that we complete our Year 2000
preparations and provide full information to the public so that markets are not surprised and can
operate as smoothly as possible during the crossover to the new century. It is natural to turn attention
to the immediate and very real financial problems; but those in this room, and many others, can
provide an important service by remaining attentive to the important task that we face in preparing
for the century date change.
Interaction between Year 2000 and the Euro
The current economic backdrop is not the only challenge facing those of us with a
focus on the Year 2000 challenge. Most countries represented here today are also making a
significant investment in preparing for the introduction of the euro. While the introduction of the
euro is an event to be welcomed by market participants, it does raise several interesting challenges
for Year 2000 preparations. First, of course, is the contention for scarce IT resources and the issue of
whether there are "economies of scope" in these two projects or at least a benefit in "learning by
doing." The overlap between the two problems and two technical solutions is not as great as many
would like. At the narrowest level, they involve different approaches to the technical solution. More
generally, the testing approaches are different, with the euro relying on operational testing and Year
2000 being more of a technical test. Finally, Year 2000 involves embedded systems while the euro
will not affect systems with embedded chips in most cases.
There may also be contention for another limited resource, which is top management
attention. Year 2000 was initially considered a technical problem, which many managers may have
thought could be best handled by technicians. The euro conversion is obviously a business issue,
which entails strategy and is more accessible to the well-informed senior manager. More
importantly, the euro may be seen by some as having revenue potential that comes from offering new
services ahead of competitors. Year 2000 may offer some revenue opportunities, but it is probably
most correctly perceived as a cost concern for many senior managers. Both conversions must be
managed as business issues because of the significant risks they both pose to operations.
Some commentators may have created another, false, relationship between these two
technical challenges by suggesting that the Year 2000 problem is a creation of some that want to
distract attention and resources from the euro. I know of no responsible person who would create the
need to spend the large sums necessary to prepare for the century date change or risk other
disruptions for the purpose of diverting attention from a legitimate and beneficial effort of creating a
common currency for a major economic region. In addition, computer professionals have known of
this problem for years and are, I believe, universal in recognizing its importance.
However, the story is more complex than these elements of resource contention; there
are some benefits from having these two major systems changes in close proximity. First, we can all
learn about the importance of cross-firm coordination in tackling these systems issues in the new era.
In addition, there will be learning on how best to perform contingency planning for these cross-firm,
cross-border events.
Finally, the euro conversion experience may be seen as a leading indicator for the
Year 2000 weekend that will follow a year later. If things proceed well, many may interpret that as
lessening the pressure, and efforts to prepare for Year 2000 might appear to have a lower priority. If
euro conversion is not as seamless as expected, the perceptions of Year 2000 risk will likely
increase, possibly leading to excessive concern and overreaction. It will be incumbent upon
knowledgeable and balanced commentators to assess the situation coolly and point out appropriate
similarities and differences between the two events.
Disclosure and Transparency
One way in which we can all ensure that balanced and rational discussion prevails is
by adequate disclosure and transparency. The lack of adequate information on Year 2000
preparations by firms and countries is a significant concern because, as we have seen recently, lack
of information may feed negative perceptions in the marketplace. The interdependence of financial
institutions, markets and payments systems, and the overall dependence by firms on the readiness of
the public infrastructure, make it very important for firms and countries to share information on the
status of plans and preparations.
The Year 2000 problem could potentially lead to a cross-border reassessment of
counterparty and country risks similar to that occurring now. Unless we continue to make steady
progress in preparing for the century change and communicate clearly how we are doing, we may
experience what I call the "Year 2000 shadow" in the financial markets. Financial market
participants, and entire countries, may find that capital will become scarce, or at least dear, if they
are not seen to be making sufficient progress toward resolving this problem. The uncertainty
surrounding preparedness for Year 2000 may make markets less liquid as institutions seek to insulate
themselves from risk with counterparties who are thought to be unprepared. The financial cost of this
is not clear, and I am not one of those forecasting recession as a result of a Year 2000 slowing, but
we know from recent events that a flight to liquidity can have severe repercussions in the real
economy.
In the United States, legislation has recently been passed by Congress to protect firms
that share information in good faith on the status of their Year 2000 projects. In July, the US
Securities and Exchange Commission issued new guidance for publicly traded companies requiring
them to disclose information regarding the scope of their Year 2000 problem and the status of their
Year 2000 readiness. These actions are intended to prompt firms to be more forthcoming in
providing information so that firms and investors may respond appropriately. While disclosure rules
like those mandated by the SEC are a positive development, the Year 2000 process itself is
constantly evolving, so formal disclosures will almost certainly be months behind the marketplace in
accessing the status of firms.
Voluntary disclosure, therefore, must form an integral part of plans. Firms that are
forthcoming and disclose their status in forums like the Global 2000 meetings set an example for
other firms in their countries and provide the marketplace with vital information. In the United
States, the oil and gas industry associations recently surveyed their members on the status of
company readiness. While the survey revealed that 45 per cent of the respondents are still in the
assessment phase, there has been no negative reaction in the marketplace or in the public press to the
information. One probable reason for this reaction is that the survey and public disclosure conveys a
message that companies have recognized the risks and have implemented programs and resources
necessary to address the Year 2000 problem; information is reassuring.
The Joint Year 2000 Council
The Joint Year 2000 Council is providing a complement to these private sector
efforts. We do not represent the global "official sector", but we are attempting to coordinate and
share information among the world's financial regulators. To that end, we have issued a number of
policy papers to provide regulators with a strong sense of better practice. The Council also provides
information through a bulletin and a website. We also plan to sponsor a series of regional meetings
before the end of the year to bring together regulators at a regional level to discuss progress and to
provide solutions to challenges. Finally, we have held conversations with senior members of the
private sector who are members of our External Consultative Committee to impress upon them the
important role that they play in making these preparations.
Early in its life, the Joint Year 2000 Council issued a statement emphasizing the
importance of each country's developing a national Year 2000 strategy, including having senior
government coordination. In the United States we have created a President's Council, which is one
example of government coordination of Year 2000 preparations. This has been a particularly useful
tool for allowing further information sharing and disclosure, as well as speeding preparations.
In spite of these efforts and examples of good practice, some countries will probably
not be as prepared as we would hope. Time will run out for a few; however, that should not stop all
countries and firms from continuing their best efforts. It is never too late to start the remediation
process, focused in the first instance on the most critical systems, and working diligently to seek the
highest level of preparation possible. The risks of some disruption to international trade and financial
markets are certainly not negligible, but these risks can best be handled by continued hard work and
by planning for current and likely contingencies.
Plan of Action
As we move forward, I would like to suggest some steps we can all take.
First, you and your colleagues are critical in continuing to build awareness within
your financial and business communities and within your countries, about the importance of focusing
on the Year 2000 so this event does not become the next crisis impacting financial markets.
Second, some governments do not yet fully appreciate the magnitude of the Year
2000 problem. The Joint Year 2000 Council has an active program to raise awareness among
financial regulators worldwide and to share information on important Year 2000 tasks. You can
assist these efforts by raising the topic with political and regulatory leaders in countries in which
your firms are active and providing your market-based sense of the risks.
Third, I believe that accurate and timely information is the best antidote to the
misinformation that is likely to spread as we get closer to the critical dates. I would, therefore,
strongly encourage the efforts like those currently under way by Global 2000 to obtain voluntary
disclosure of information about the status and readiness of firms. I expect that market participants
and the public at large will start to expect more information, and those that do not disclose face the
risk of being considered unprepared for the Year 2000 transitions, raising business viability and even
systemic concerns.
Fourth, the "dependencies" in the public infrastructure that we all have, namely
telecommunications, power, and water, need further attention. This is a vital link that is becoming
increasingly obvious. I would encourage you to have conversations with your utilities and
telecommunications providers, and with appropriate regulatory authorities, about preparedness of the
industries that are vital in operating the public infrastructure. Utilities have been particularly
cautious in explaining their preparedness. More disclosure from them would be useful.
Finally, an important and responsible part of any project includes contingency
planning. Contingency planning should be recognized as a legitimate exercise, not an admission that
you expect failure in the core effort of preparing for Year 2000.
Conclusion
In closing, let me say that we have achieved much in the past few months. The level
of awareness and appreciation for the seriousness of the risks posed by the Year 2000 is growing
every day. For example, despite many competing issues and concerns, the Year 2000 was addressed
during the recent meetings of the IMF and World Bank. The Joint Year 2000 Council is committed
to accomplishing its goals of sharing information and helping supervisory authorities perform their
duties. We also remain committed to work with our colleagues in Global 2000 as they encourage the
private sector to take responsibility for their preparations. We must also continue to work hard to
encourage governments and companies that provide public infrastructure services to prepare for the
Year 2000. Finally, we should all encourage disclosure and sharing of information by firms and
governments.
I am confident that the current business and technical headlines, whether they regard
international financial contagion or euro conversion, will continue to receive the appropriate level of
private-sector and official attention. However, the clock will march inexorably forward, and within
the next fourteen months we will all know how prepared we collectively are for the century date
change. With concerted effort, I hope that we will not be found wanting.