Luis M Linde: Snapshot of the Spanish economy within the international
environment
Testimony by Mr Luis M Linde, Governor of the Bank of Spain, before the Parliamentary
Committee on Economic Affairs and Competitiveness, Madrid, 17 June 2014.
* * *
Ladies and gentlemen,
I appear before this Committee in connection with the presentation of the Banco de España
Annual Report for 2013.
I will briefly review the international economic environment before setting out developments
in the Spanish economy, which has been characterised by a gradual recovery in activity and
progress in the internal adjustment process. I will then address aspects relating to the
situation of and outlook for the banking system, concluding my testimony with some thoughts
on the challenges our economy faces in seeking to set sustainable growth firmly in place.
The international environment
In 2013 the global economy grew by around 3%, slightly down on the previous year, although
it did move on a gradually recovering path which is expected to hold in 2014. The euro area
initiated a phase of recovery in 2013 Q2, starting then to emerge from the recessionary
phase affecting it since late 2011.
This recovery has been marked by the strengthening of the developed economies -
particularly in the United States, where expectations have held that monetary conditions are
progressively normalising - and by lesser momentum in the emerging economies, central to
which is the moderation of growth in China.
Contributing to this lesser momentum, on one hand, has been the change to a more
moderate growth model in China; owing to lower Chinese demand for commodities and the
interrelated effect on global production chains, this has been instrumental in the lower growth
in the other emerging economies.
Further, the expectations that global financial conditions will normalise have led to fewer
capital flows towards certain emerging economies, exposing their vulnerabilities linked to
their dependence on external funding. In any event, exchange rate flexibility or sizeable
volumes of reserves have enabled them to withstand, in better conditions than in past
periods, this episode of reversed capital flows.
In sum, this new outlook reveals greater certainty about the recovery of the global economy
and a shift in the central points of uncertainty from the developed economies - and in
particular from the euro area countries - to the emerging economies.
As regards price developments, the current phase of recovery is marked by the absence of
inflationary pressures in the main advanced economies, with the exception of Japan, with
inflation rates significantly below the targets set by central banks being recorded.
Contributing factors here were the persisting slack in labour markets, the low levels of
capacity utilisation and the moderation of commodities prices, in particular of oil.
The absence of inflationary pressures has been conducive to an accommodative monetary
policy stance being maintained globally, with official interest rates anchored at levels very
close to zero and extraordinary liquidity provision measures still in force.
This monetary policy stance has meant that long-term interest rates in the advanced
economies have held at very low levels, while very generous pricing in certain financial
markets has been the case. Indeed, some prices are at all-time highs, in a setting in which
investor yield search appears to be playing a predominant role compared with other
considerations based more on the fundamentals of these assets.
This scenario on international money and financial markets poses risks, as it is likely to
undergo abrupt changes in the face of expectations emerging over the withdrawal of
monetary stimuli or, what comes down to the same, of expectations over sustainable
improvements in growth rates that advise less expansionary monetary policies.
Developments in and outlook for the Spanish economy
In the course of 2013 the Spanish economy showed a degree of dynamism and, from the
third quarter onwards, positive GDP growth rates. This trajectory has continued into 2014,
meaning that the year might finalise on a path in line with the forecast forwarded in the
Spanish Economic Projections Report published by the Banco de España in March, that is to
say, with annual average growth of 1.2%.
This recovery has also been discernible in the labour market. The pace of job destruction
slackened in 2013, until showing slight job creation in the closing months of the year.
The improvement has progressively strengthened to date in 2014. On the latest available
data for May, the official number of registered unemployed fell by almost 112,000, placing
the year-on-year rate of change at -6.5%, 0.8 pp better than in April. Social Security
registrations increased this same month by 198,000, or at a year-on-year rate of 1.6%,
0.4 pp above the growth recorded in the previous month, marking four consecutive months of
growth.
This change in the Spanish economy has arisen from a combination of external and
domestic factors. Let me take the former first.
The external boost to recovery in the Spanish economy
First, the rise in activity and global trade in the second half of 2013 and the resumption of
economic growth in the euro area shaped a favourable environment for our exports.
Second, a favourable impact has also been exerted by the measures adopted by euro area
Member State governments in terms of fiscal consolidation and the approval of structural
reforms, particularly visible in those economies that were subject to financial tensions.
The support programmes for Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus also unfolded favourably.
Indeed, Ireland and Portugal have already exited their respective financial assistance
programmes without resorting to any additional precautionary mechanism. Greece, for its
part, posted a primary fiscal surplus in 2013, indicating that its public finances have been
redressed.
But the challenges ahead remain significant, as highlighted by the European Commission in
the annual revision of the exercise on macroeconomic imbalances within the area.
Measures by the ECB are contributing to shaping a setting favourable to recovery. Since the
onset of the crisis, monetary policy has been strongly accommodating, more so both in 2013
and in 2014 to date.
On the conventional front, official interest rates have been cut on three occasions since
January last year. As a result, the main refinancing operations rate has reached, for practical
purposes, its lower bound (0.15%). And the remuneration banks receive for their deposits in
the Eurosystem stands, following the recent decisions adopted on 5 June, in negative
territory (-0.10%), which should promote a greater and lasting injection of liquidity into the
markets.
As regards liquidity, moreover, it was resolved at the Governing Council meeting on 5 June
to extend the current policy of fixed rate full allotment tender procedures at least until
December 2016. It was also decided to suspend the fine-tuning operation sterilising the
purchases under the Securities Market Programme. The ECB thereby ensures the continuity
and scope of the policy of generous provision of liquid funds adopted since what was
practically the very onset of the crisis.
Finally, regarding unconventional measures, and following the adoption last year of forward
guidance, significant additional steps have been taken in June. Firstly, targeted long-term
refinancing operations explicitly geared to promoting bank lending to households and firms
were announced. Further, it was decided to step up the work under way to enable a
framework to be designed for outright ABS purchases by the ECB. The aim of these
purchases is to improve the functioning of the monetary policy transmission mechanism,
which is still adversely affected by the financial market segmentation induced by the crisis.
Progress in the internal process of adjustment
The turnaround in the Spanish economy would not have been possible had the internal
process of adjustment not been sustained and deepened. Thus, in 2013, there was progress
in correcting the imbalances in terms of competitiveness, fiscal consolidation, private-sector
debt and financial system reform. I shall briefly discuss each of these developments.
Competitiveness and correction of the external imbalance
The continuity of the ongoing moderation in labour costs and prices allowed further gains in
competitiveness to be built up during 2013. On the indicators available, based on unit labour
costs, the gap opened up since Spain joined the euro area is expected to have closed.
The internal devaluation process is exerting a favourable effect on our foreign trade. The
year ended with our first current-account surplus since 1997. That said, our continuing
excessive dependence on imported energy and the persistent deficit on the incomes
balance, owing to our high external debt, stood in the way of an even bigger improvement.
Fiscal consolidation
Turning to public finances, once the extraordinary effects of the aid to financial institutions is
excluded, the year 2013 closed with a deficit of 6.6% of GDP, 0.1 pp above the objective set,
in a macroeconomic environment marked by cyclical weakness and by higher interest
payments. The fiscal adjustment drive has been most significant, as shown by the structural
primary balance (the cyclically adjusted balance, excluding interest payments), which posted
a correction of 1.2 pp of GDP.
2013 was the first full year of application of the mechanisms of the Budgetary Stability and
Financial Sustainability Law approved in 2012. Moreover, measures were taken to improve
the sustainability of public pensions (the sustainability factor and revaluation index).
Private-sector deleveraging and bank lending
To conclude this section, I will refer to the correction of private-sector overindebtedness. The
Spanish economy's cyclical position suggests, along with past experience, that several
quarters of economic growth will still be necessary before lending at the aggregate level
resumes positive growth rates.
However, there were actually signs of an improvement in this connection in 2013.
Since mid-year, lending to companies has been shrinking at increasingly lower rates, a
change which has begun to be discernible also in the case of households since early 2014.
The more disaggregated analyses conducted by the Banco de España support the idea that
the contraction in debt at the aggregate level is proving compatible with a shift in the mix of
debt towards those companies in a sound position which are, therefore, better placed to
channel funds to new investments that translate into more growth and more employment.
Spanish banking sector
I will now refer to the position of and outlook for our banking sector.
For the Spanish banking industry, the year 2013 marked the culmination of a major reform in
the framework of the financial assistance programme agreed with the European authorities.
This programme began in 2012 and, as you know, concluded last January. The reform has
seen the clean-up, recapitalisation and restructuring of the sector.
In a complex macroeconomic and financial environment, which required the adjustment of
the imbalances that have built up in the previous expansionary phase, the Spanish banking
sector has demonstrated notable adaptability.
I will briefly review some of the basic parameters marking developments at our banks, in
particular the changes in the structure of their balance sheets, non-performing loans and
results. I will then underscore the importance of the capital conservation measures in the
current setting.
Changes in the structure of bank balance sheets
Last year, the banking sector significantly reduced the size of its balance sheet, as well as
changing its structure.
On the asset side, the reduction in lending to the private sector persisted. This reduction
was, however, compatible with an increase in the weight of assets relative to the total
balance sheet, whereas other asset items - such as deposits at central banks and credit
institutions, and derivatives operations - contracted at very high rates. In turn, on the
liabilities side, there was a shift towards private-sector deposits, thereby furthering the
reduction in funds borrowed from the Eurosystem. In addition, the sector also increased its
own funds, the relative weight of which on the balance sheet has gained in significance.
Non-performing assets
Private-sector non-performing assets continued to rise in 2013. This increase and the
aforementioned decrease in credit explain the growth in the non-performing assets ratio. Also
playing a role in this increase was the reclassification of refinanced loan portfolios required
by the Banco de España in 2012.
In any event, banks' non-performing loans have a clearly cyclical component. In this respect,
in line with the onset of the recovery of the economy, the latest data, which relate to early
2014, show a slight fall in non-performing assets in month-on-month terms. This trend can be
expected to firm as the recovery of economic activity gathers steam.
Results
The banking sector in 2013 reported consolidated profit of €11 billion in 2013, following
heavy losses in 2012, basically due to the sizeable provisions made by banks. Although
provisions continued to eat up a considerable portion of profit, their relative significance in
2013 was appreciably less than in 2012.
Margins and efficiency
The more moderate provisions noted above helped to offset the lower margins in the 2013
income statement compared with 2012. Thus, against the background of a smaller volume of
activity and of lower interest rates, net interest income (the difference between accrued
interest revenue and costs) dropped by nearly 10% year-on-year in 2013.
In 2013 Spanish banks persisted in their efforts to increase efficiency, readjusting their
operating capacity by pruning staff and branch numbers in their business in Spain, which,
compared with the highs in mid-2008, were down by around 20% and 25%, respectively.
In an environment characterised by persisting downward pressure on earnings from factors
such as weaker lending, low interest rates and still-high provisioning needs, banks have to
persevere in reducing their operating costs and improving their efficiency.
Conservation of banks' capital
In 2013 the banking sector strengthened its solvency. The aggregate core capital of all
deposit institutions stood at 11.5% at the end of that year, up somewhat more than 2 pp on
end-2012.
From a medium- and long-term standpoint, the banking sector has to maintain its capital
conservation policies.
The economic recovery is still incipient and some fragmentation persists in the euro area
financial markets. Moreover, the new solvency legislation which came into force in Europe
last January implementing the requirements of the Basel III Accord, but whose application
has yet to be completed, calls for, inter alia, higher levels and quality of capital. The Banco
de España, recognising that it is desirable to conserve capital and strengthen solvency
levels, last February renewed its recommendation that banks should limit their dividend
payout policies.
Challenges facing the Spanish economy and the role of economic policy
I shall conclude with some thoughts on the challenges facing the Spanish economy and the
role of economic policy.
Our economy is currently setting its growth on a firm footing. However, the effects of the
crisis in terms of unemployment and indebtedness of the resident sectors have been
sizeable and their absorption will require time.
The improvements in competitiveness and the reduction of private-sector debt must
continue. And this in an environment of low inflation in the euro area and of high euro
exchange rates, which poses an additional difficulty.
In the area of national policies, the leeway for applying demand-side policies is scant. In this
respect, let me discuss in more detail the challenges ahead for fiscal policy.
Fiscal policy challenges
As I have already indicated, progress in the correction of European fiscal imbalances has
been significant. The data for 2013 show, however, that six years after the economic crisis
began, ten countries in the European Union countries had budget deficits of over 3% of GDP
and public debt levels stand at record highs in many member countries. Having now
emerged from the phase of financial and banking instability, the need for fiscal consolidation
will continue to condition economic policy in Europe over the coming years, although the
adjustments planned are on a lesser scale than those already implemented.
In the case of Spain, the consolidation drive still ahead remains substantial. According to the
latest Stability Programme Update, the planned reduction in the budget deficit between 2014
and 2017 is 5.5 pp of GDP, and rises to 6.4 pp of GDP in terms of decreasing the primary
deficit.
Completing the fiscal consolidation process must remain an overriding priority of Spain's
economic policy. This effort is necessary to maintain the confidence of economic agents, to
continue to advance in the normalisation of financing and to restore the room for manoeuvre
in budget policy.
Meeting targets is crucial first for containing and, subsequently, reducing the public
debt/GDP ratio. It will be difficult to curb the rising trend of public debt now the latter has
reached high levels and the outlook for economic growth and inflation is moderate.
If the interest on the debt is higher than the nominal growth rate of the economy, the public
debt/GDP ratio grows inertially, even when public revenue and spending are balanced. This
effect stems from the pressure generated by the interest burden, arising from high debt
which cannot be countered by growth in real GDP and changes in inflation. In this situation,
then, in order to avoid an increase in debt, it is not enough to attain an overall balanced
budget (that is, net of the interest burden); rather, sizeable primary surpluses must be
achieved and maintained, which is particularly difficult in a setting of low growth and low
inflation. Furthermore, the short-term negative effects on economic growth of the fiscal
adjustment should be considered, which contributes to the above-mentioned inertial increase
in debt.
Against the backdrop of a brighter economic outlook, it is to be expected that, unlike in recent
years, the reduction of the budget deficit will foreseeably be boosted by a more positive
performance of tax revenue and a decrease in those expenses more closely linked to the
economic cycle, particularly unemployment benefits. The efforts to contain spending should
desirably be accompanied by public spending and revenue arrangements which help to
ensure that the public sector makes a better contribution to economic activity and to achieve
a lasting adjustment.
As for public spending, various actions have already been undertaken in the area of public
employment in the health and education sectors, as well as in reforming local government
administration and streamlining the public sector, among others, which should continue to
generate savings over the coming years. In line with the recommendations of the European
Council, this process would gain in depth and consistency if it were accompanied by a public
spending assessment and review. Given the degree of decentralisation in Spain, such an
exercise requires the active collaboration of the regional governments.
Of the various public expenditure items, spending on pensions is particularly important given
its high share and the challenges faced in relation to its sustainability in the medium term.
Progress in this area has been significant as a result of the various reforms approved. In
particular, in 2011 the retirement age and the period for calculating the regulatory base were
increased, and in 2013 the so-called "sustainability" factor was defined and the revaluation
index of pensions was introduced. These measures will help to ease the pressure in the
medium term arising from population ageing. The next step should be to develop the
mechanisms to increase saving for retirement so that in the future this may complement
defined-benefit public pensions.
Turning to public revenue, according to the findings of the Committee of Experts - which
delivered its report in March 2014 - and the recommendations of international agencies, a
reform is needed to redress the problems which have become visible during the crisis. These
problems include most notably the low revenue-raising capacity of the tax system, the high
legal rates of taxation alongside low effective rates of taxation due to the proliferation of tax
benefits, and a bias towards a more distortional system of taxation for economic growth and
employment, namely, that levied on labour and capital.
Given this diagnosis, the proposals of the Committee of Experts and international agencies
coincide as to the need to increase the weight of indirect taxation to permit a reduction in the
taxation of labour, particularly social security contributions, and also a lowering of the
taxation of capital income. Additionally, the Committee suggests that tax rebates, reductions
and allowances be eliminated and that progress be made towards greater neutrality across
savings instruments. These recommendations underline that is important that any future
changes to taxation, in addition to improving efficiency, should not jeopardise the fiscal
consolidation required.
Medium-term economic growth
The fiscal consolidation process has been accompanied by a series of reforms whose effects
are becoming discernible or will be perceived shortly. The increased sensitivity of prices to
the economic cycle has prompted a correction of the competitiveness gap of the Spanish
economy, while the more flexible labour framework has undoubtedly been conducive to wage
moderation. A change is also perceptible in the role of past inflation in the process of
determining costs and income. This change will be bolstered by the implementation of the
legislation on the deindexation of the economy.
The effects in terms of job creation are more tentative, yet promising. Foreseeably, as a
result of the more flexible labour framework, employment will grow at rates which, while
moderate, are relatively high in relation to the growth in GDP.
Undertaking reforms to increase competition is also unavoidable. Progress in this area has
also been significant: we may recall the laws on entrepreneurs, single market guarantee and
insolvency. However, it must be acknowledged that in some cases their actual
implementation is encountering difficulties or has been delayed.
Thank you.