Central banks have to be cautious of sinking into complacency, said Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney today, as he laid out principles that guide policy around liquidity injections.

In a speech to the New York Association for Business Economics, Carney put forward the principles that central banks should follow to support liquidity in markets. These include limited, selective intervention and the promotion of the sound supervision of liquidity-risk management.

By following the principles, central banks can maximize the effectiveness of their interventions and minimize the risk of moral hazard – that the interventions might encourage behaviour that would increase the likelihood or severity of a future crisis.

“It is important that we not let a sense of complacency distract us from learning the appropriate lessons and acting accordingly,” he said.

He suggested that policy-makers consider the promotion of “macro-prudential regulations” that could “serve to restrain pro-cyclical liquidity creation among banks and market makers when appropriate.”

“Central banks and other authorities should be as concerned about the distortions and inefficiencies created by overly easy financing conditions, rapid credit growth, and excess confidence about future market liquidity as those created by a lack of liquidity,” he added.

To determine whether actions to support market liquidity are appropriate, Carney said, a central bank “should ask itself four questions: First, is the impairment of the market temporary or permanent? Second, will the instruments at its disposal be effective? Third, what net benefits could come from intervention? Fourth, what are the likely costs?”

The events of last summer have challenged the belief that central banks could adequately support markets by allocating liquidity through commercial banks, or by altering liquidity in payments systems, the new bank governor noted. The financial system will be more stable, and the effects of monetary policy actions more predictable, if the central bank directly supports liquidity in markets when appropriate.

The Bank of Canada has cut interest rates by 150 basis points since the end of last year and has signaled more cuts are likely. The bank’s next rate decision is scheduled for June 10.