Central Monetary Board

Central Monetary Board (CRB) and the Orbital Industrial Complex

The Central Monetary Board refers to a 18-man committee chairing the Ardenian Central Bank. Originally consisting of 12 members, the CRB expanded to 18 members in the aftermath of the Semiconductor Glut - immense deflationary pressure caused by resource offloading in the aftermath of Orbital Industrialization - by adding a 6 person Orbital subboard, consisting of industry experts, macroeconomists and representatives from the orbital triopoly.

Due to the widespread expansion of the CRB’s power under the Orbital Resource Control Act (ORCA) to combat deflationary pressure during the Semiconductor Glut, the CRB more or less resembles an international trade court than a traditional central bank.

The CRB differs from traditional central banks due to the sheer amount of power that they hold. Under ORCA, the CRB possesses the power to set an artificially imposed “dumping limit.” Formally referred to as the “Cap Rate”, the cap rate caps the total amount of resources that orbital-based companies can “dump” onto terrestrial markets to preserve the terrie (terrestrial) industrial base of the Federal Kingdom. This concept, often referred to in Macroeconomics as "Artificial Scarcity", is often referred to as the fourth lever of the economy.

Due to the ability of the CRB to set “Cap Rates” and control Artificial Scarcity, they hold a disproportionate amount of power compared to more traditional central banks. Ironically enough, the 6-man “orbital board” of the CRB holds a rotating position in the 1st Circuit Courts ORCA enforcement court.

Due to the sheer amount of power given to the CRB under ORCA, they are often-times referred to as the “second judicial branch” of the Federal Kingdom. ORCA cap rates possess the ability to make or break industries, stock markets and companies.

The CRB holds a triple mandate - 1, ensure an equitable balance between terrie and orbital industries, 2, maximum employment, and 3, stable prices.