This paper examines how various monetary policy signals such as official discount rate changes¡Bspeeches and monetary aggregate M2 annual growth rate affect the structure of interest rates in Taiwan. The model of the thesis is based on the Svensson model (1994) which is the extension of the parsimonious model defined by Nelson and Siegel (1987). It is being shown, that the term of interest rates, estimated based on Svensson model result in a fault value for Taiwan, due to a unsound bond market especially in the short term and one-year interest rates. There is no proof that unexpected movements in the short end of the yield curve are mainly driven by unexpected changes in the official discount rate. Speeches are found to be a more important determinant for the longer end of the term structure. The conclusion is that central bank communication is an essential part of the conduct of monetary policy.

This thesis analyzes the effect of the Czech National Bank's (CNB) communica- tion on the interest rate volatility (PRJBOR reference rate). Starting with the literature survey about the central bank communication in the world, I focus on the literature that concerns the CNB. To model the CNB's communication, I use the GARCH(l,1), EGARCH(l,1) and TARCH(l,1) models. I have created a unique data set containing the dummy variables for the CNB communication. The results are as follows: (a) the CNB's communication tends to decrease the volatility, (b) timing of the communication has a key role as the comments closer to the meeting have bigger calming effect, and that (c) there is no clear effect concerning the comments of the Bank Board members in the media. JEL Classification Keywords E43, E44, E52, E58 Czech National Bank, monetary policy signaling, central bank communication, the term structure of interest rates, GARCH analysis Author's email karasp@email.cz Supervisors's email roman. horvath@gmail.com