Articles by Central Banking Newsdesk
Central Bank of Barbados launches charity coin collection
Public encouraged to hand in one cent coin collections; all proceeds will be donated to the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association to go towards building a day care centre
Swiss National Bank posts profit in first half of year
Latest figures show central bank made a profit in first half of the year; majority of gains come from holdings of foreign currency purchased to maintain minimum exchange rate against euro
Thailand reports improved economic conditions
Senior director of macroeconomic and monetary policy department notes overall better conditions in second quarter of 2012; European debt crisis has caused problems for export market nonetheless
India holds rates as growth expectation falls
Reserve Bank of India releases First Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2012–13; holds rates, lowers growth prediction and raises inflation projection
Bank of Japan paper examines reasons behind chronic deflation
Working paper gives overview of a number of factors that may have caused persistent deflation in Japan since the mid-1990s; says it is difficult to single out a dominant explanation
Bank of Mauritius governor calls for prosecution of failed bank leadership
Rundheersing Bheenick argues banks need to be held accountable for their actions; says individuals responsible for bank failure should be prosecuted
Central Bank of Ireland positive in quarterly bulletin
Quarterly bulletin suggests Irish growth is being held back by negative external developments; however, domestic indicators show signs of strength
National Bank of Serbia paper finds strong domestic bank lending channel
Working paper identifies 'significant' impact of monetary policy on domestic currency loan growth through bank lending channel; says channel is weak for foreign currency loans
FMI resolution report published for consultation
CPSS and Iosco seek comments on new standards for recovery and resolution of financial market infrastructures; discuss how FSB’s work on resolution regimes will be taken into account
Fed reveals final rules for fraud prevention adjustments
Rules released permitting debit card issuers to receive an adjustment for fraud prevention; maintains cap of one cent a transaction but simplifies requirements
Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina reports drop in counterfeits
Figures show 76% drop in counterfeits recovered in Bosnia and Herzegovina; new banknotes with improved security features hailed for large reduction in fake currency seized compared to last year
Bank of Namibia ‘inundated’ with scam complaints
Central bank worried by reports of a number of suspicious business offers; cautions members of the public to avoid any schemes that appear to be in contravention of the Banking Institutions Act
Ukrainians encouraged to hold savings in national currency
Director of National Bank of Ukraine’s Monetary Policy Department promotes hryvnia for savings purposes; tells public currency is sound and highlights uncertainty surrounding other currencies
BoE statistics indicate slight improvements in UK lending
Lending statistics show decline in lending to UK businesses lessens slightly while loans to individuals increase; overall M4 lending shows slight increase
BIS paper links funding to emerging economies and stock market volatility
Working paper studies funding flows between emerging market central banks and investors during stock market calm and volatility; suggests this reinforces risk-on and risk-off markets
Sarb’s Marcus discusses developments in central bank communication
Gill Marcus says communication has become ‘fundamental’ to central bank strategy, but suggests there are limits to usefulness of transparency
IMF paper highlights risks of higher inflation targets
Researchers assess the effects of increasing inflation targets; argue this can help prevent problems of a zero lower bound, but the overall impact on welfare is negative
IMF calls for further action to repair Spanish economy
Article IV report praises ‘major policy actions’ by Spanish government, but says further efforts must be made; Fund also encourages progression of European measures
Kosovan central bank launches sting operation on unlicensed financial institutions
Two locations investigated for conducting unlicensed financial activity; materials and equipment seized after fast-moving process
Bank of Japan nominates new stand-in chairman
Ryuzo Miyao designated to take on role of chairman if governor and both deputies are ‘prevented from attending to their duties’; replaces Seiji Nakamura, who left the central bank in April
Laos central bank ignores IMF advice
IMF delegation again recommends increase of reserve requirements for banks; Bank of the Lao PDR says it will not make the change yet
Portrait of Eva Peron to appear on Argentine banknote
Argentine president decides Evita Peron will be first female to feature on Argentine banknote; commemorative issuance at first with plans for image to appear on all 100 peso notes
IMF paper warns against frontloaded fiscal adjustment
Working paper studies changes in fiscal multipliers based on economy’s position in the business cycle; cautions that large budget cuts are likely to create or worsen recessions
Bank of Israel annual survey reports increased banking system risk
Annual survey of Israeli banking system says risk increased during 2011; outlines regulatory changes made to address the problem