To boost the ECB's toolbox, the ECB also reinserted the deposit rate as a possible instrument to be used. While last year's assessment suggested that the "effective" lower bound for rates had been reached, the view now, due to "changed conditions", is that there is some further room to cut the deposit rate.
"While this tool has the potential to affect the exchange rate, it is less clear why a cut in the deposit rate would have a bigger impact on the economy or the exchange rate than accelerating asset purchases. In view of the potential negative effects on the real economy and the limited room for manoeuvre, we would mainly expect this tool to be used in a much worse economic scenario or as a compromise if other options are not possible", says Societe Generale.
