BoE’s Bailey To Print Unlimited Money, Tells Short Sellers “Just Stop” Amid Covid-19 Chaos

BoE governor Andrew Bailey said on Wednesday that the central bank stands ready to pump unlimited amounts of money into the economy.

Speaking to journalists on a conference call, quoted by Financial Times, Bailey said the central bank is prepared to pump liquidity into markets via its new commercial paper facility. He said this would limit economic damage produced by the virus crisis.

BREAKING: Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, just said he’s willing to print unlimited quantities of money and pump in into the economy.

Ironic coming from a man that last month said those holding bitcoin should “be prepared to lose all of your money” pic.twitter.com/JDQpQ2HBVE

— Vis (@Vis_in_numeris) March 18, 2020

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He told members of the financial community that they must stop ‘exploiting’ vulnerable business by betting against them:

“Anybody who says, ‘I can make a load of money by shorting’ [aggressively betting on the value of specific companies continuing to fall] which might not be frankly in the interest of the economy, the interest of the people, just stop doing what you’re doing.”

Bailey made it clear that financial markets will remain open as a sign of confidence. He said firms who are thinking of reducing staff must reconsider because support from the central bank and government can lessen the shock.

He urged firms to “stop, look at what’s available, come and talk to us [or] the government before you take that position,” adding that support will be supplied to citizens as well.

The hardest-hit UK industries have so far been airliners, retailers, restaurants, movie theaters, and much of the services industry, as it has completely ground to a halt as the government enforces social distancing measures to flatten the curve to slowdown infections. As of 2018, the services sector accounted for at least 80% of the UK economy.

Baily said emergency loans have been available by the central bank to companies that have already fired employees. He told BBC News:

“I would emphasise the point that it’s critical that we support the needs of the people in the country.”

Baily took the reins from Mark Carney at midnight on Monday and has already faced an economic crisis on par to a decade ago as helicopter money is now needed to save the economy from crashing.

“This is a crisis we’re all in. It’s an emergency situation,” Bailey said.

The BoE is expected to cut interest rates from .25% to .10% and resume quantitative easing when it meets next week. Bailey isn’t a supporter of NIRP and has pushed measures to shield businesses and workers from virus impacts.