Regulation
IMF concludes Article IV consultation with Panama
On Jan 22, 2001 the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Panama. Below is the Public Information Notice issued by the IMF. The IMF points out the slowing growth rate of Panana, but recognise…
Fed's liquidity date change efforts
The Fed's efforts to provide liquidity around the century date change likely had a stabilizing effect on the financing markets.
Italian bank group slams govt rule on mortgages
Italy's top bank association on Dec 29 criticised a government decision to curb interest payments on fixed rate loans as creating instability in the banking sector and consumer groups slammed it as unfair.
RBI outlines universal banking roadmap
The Reserve Bank of India has warned against any dilution of prudential and supervisory norms for banking business, while suggesting a consolidated approach towards supervision and regulation.
Putin says cbank needs to pick up pace of reform
President Vladimir Putin said Dec 29 Russia needs to reform its moribund banks, and he criticized the central bank for failing to develop the banking system. The International Monetary Fund and other foreign lenders have long urged Russia to overhaul its…
Swaziland introduce law against money laundering
Swazi finance minister John Carmichael is expected to table in parliament the long awaited criminal and money laundering bill that would empower prosecutors world-wide to extradite suspected criminals against Swazi laws to stand trial in Swaziland, the…
IMF has nothing against CBR, says Paramonova
The International Monetary Fund has no complaints about the actions of the Central Bank of Russia, Tatyana Paramonova, a first deputy chairman at the Central Bank, said.
Slovenia c.bank eases portfolio investment rules
The Bank of Slovenia said on Dec 22 it would from January 2001 ease restrictions for foreign portfolio investment, part of its programme to harmonise regulations with those of the European Union by the end of 2002.
Lithuanian market watchdogs sign supervision pact
Lithuania's central bank, the securitities comission and insurance watchdog signed on Dec 22 a cooperation deal aimed at cementing supervision of the country's financial sector.
Cameroon to go it alone with national bourse
Cameroon has announced the creation of a national stock exchange, just days after Central African leaders chose Libreville in Gabon rather than Cameroon's economic capital of Douala as the seat for a regional bourse.
Estonia cbank, govt clash over draft watchdog bill
The Estonian central bank on Tuesday expressed concern over government approval earlier in the day of a draft bill, aimed at merging the securities, banking and insurance watchdogs into one financial inspectorate from January 2002.
Bank of France warns banks on telecoms exposure
The Bank of France warned French banks about their exposure to Europe's heavily-indebted telecoms companies on Tuesday, adding its voice to a chorus of concerned regulators and central bankers.
Clamor for cash in bank closings in Cambodia
A top Cambodian central bank official said Monday that the bank will ensure that the liquidation of recently closed banks is done by the law, but depositors at those banks still do not know when, if ever, they will get their money back, according to The…
Nepal's central bank moves to reform ailing banks
Nepal's central bank said on Monday it had asked the Himalayan kingdom's two state-owned banks to be cautious in granting new loans, a move aimed at protecting the ailing institutions.
Oman modifies commercial banking laws
Oman said yesterday it has amended some of its commercial banking laws to meet the requirements of new economic developments.
Kuwait proposes opening up to foreign banks
Kuwait's central bank governor said the bank is proposing an amendment to current banking laws to allow foreign banks to open branches in the country, a daily newspaper reported.
FRC declares Kansai Kogin, Tokyo Shogin insolvent
The government's Financial Reconstruction Commission (FRC) on Saturday declared Kansai Kogin and Tokyo Shogin insolvent, believing the credit unions are severely undercapitalised, and will appoint administrators to oversee them, FRC officials said.
Oman modifies commercial banking laws
Oman said on Saturday it has amended some of its commercial banking laws to meet the requirements of new economic developments.
Bank Aspac misallocated BLBI funds
Two Bank Indonesia officials said on Thursday that former Bank Aspac director Hendrawan Haryono had misallocated Rp 583 billion (US$61.4 million) out of the Rp 1.5 trillion Government Liquidity Support Funds (BLBI) it had received from the central bank.
BoE warns on telecoms debt
The Bank of England has joined the UK's financial regulators in warning banks of the risk of heavy lending to telecoms companies.
When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of LTCM
This new book by Roger Lowenstein about Long-Term Capital Management suggests that the lenders were clueless as to the nature of the LTCM's assets and strategies and equally ignorant as to LTCM's total indebtedness. Rather, the banks relied on the brand…