Greece likely to issue a form of parallel currency – SocGen

FXStreet (Bali) – Greece is likely to issue a form of parallel currency, according to the FX Strategy Team at Societe Generale.

Key Quotes

“Indeed, the Greek government is already running a primary budget deficit and no other form of funding will be available in the coming weeks. It is worth noting that if the ECB was to decide to reduce or stop allowing Greek banks to roll-over Greek TBills, the issuance of IOUs (abbreviated from the phrase “I owe you”) would become even more crucial for the government.”

“On top of that, we believe that the IOUs may also be used to help alleviate the financial stresses on Greek banks, such as the issuance of promissory notes in IOU terms in return for the redenomination in IOUs of part of banks’ liabilities (including time deposits above a specified amount).”

“In this case, the IOUs would most likely end up as the new Greek currency. Indeed, living with closed banks and frozen deposits cannot last long. The government would eventually offer (with a discount) the chance to convert blocked time-deposits in euros into cash deposits in IOUs. The government would just have to print new banknotes and coins to allow free deposit withdrawals.”

Greece is likely to issue a form of parallel currency, according to the FX Strategy Team at Societe Generale.

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