Financial Stability
Bank of England launches first ‘exploratory’ stress test
BoE will assess banks’ longer-term resilience to periods of stagnation; cyclical test made tougher
BoE’s FPC sounds warning on implementation of global standards
FPC cautions on global co-operation around regulatory standards; follows plans for deregulation in the US and tit-for-tat threat from German regulators
Kenya’s Imperial Bank given 90-day lifeline
High court extends commercial bank’s receivership to allow shareholders and receiver to reach agreement; Kenya’s central bank takes first step toward removing licensing moratorium
Croatian governor warns of further financial crises
It is probably time for central banks to “get out” of expanded balance sheets, Boris Vujčić says
Book notes: Competition and Stability in Banking, by Xavier Vives
Xavier Vives has written a fascinating book that highlights many important issues in banking regulation. But there are some flaws in his argument
SEC nominee flip-flops on Dodd-Frank rollback
Rules mandated by statute must be adopted by regulators, Clayton concedes
CEPR report ‘cautiously optimistic’ on bail-in
Thomas Philippon and Aude Salord find range of issues with European bail-in rules, but say they can probably be fixed; Cyprus bail-in “terribly” executed but still worked
EC consults on twin peaks model for supervisory authorities
Document asks stakeholders for suggestions on funding and governance reform
Exporters’ ‘sweet spot’ unlikely to be enjoyed for long, says BoE’s Broadbent
BoE deputy investigates cause of sterling’s Brexit depreciation, examining potential impact of market speculation
London financial sector likely to ‘lose prominence’ following Brexit, says Sarb bulletin
South Africa to watch developments in London closely following Brexit vote, as domestic banks decrease exposures to the UK
Build-up of public debt causes longer recessions for EMs – paper
“Less supportive” fiscal policy makes emerging markets more prone to problems associated with accumulation of public debt; authors highlight the importance of fiscal buffers
ECB may accept Brexit banks using UK models – Lautenschläger
Supervisor says a “hard Brexit” could see banks accepted on the basis of PRA-approved models
Ukrainian central bank says rail blockade will cut growth
Improved export prices should offset embargo’s effects, NBU says
New forex code will not be a set of rules – Debelle
New code of conduct will force participants to think about their actions, Debelle says; rules are easier to “arbitrage” than principles
G20 should create central bank blockchain group – think tank
Policy brief stresses the need for the G20 to be a leading figure in the blockchain debate; new consortium to discuss implications for monetary and fiscal policy
Don’t tighten SFT regulations without more data – ESMA paper
Move before 2018 could increase chance of “unintended consequences”
ECB issues final guidance on NPLs
Supervisors are writing to larger eurozone banks with high NPL levels
Norges Bank paper offers method of stress testing with fire sales
Model recognises possibility of indirect exposures, which could affect outcome of bank stress tests
Third of businesses think investment has been ‘too low’ – BoE survey
Bank of England publishes results of survey of UK firms in latest quarterly bulletin; businesses experienced both real economy and financial “obstacles” to investment
BoE’s PRA should clarify approach to insurance, report says
Report asks Prudential Regulation Authority to review boundaries of “policyholder protection”, warning the regulator not to stray into the FCA’s territory
Angeloni cautions over Commission’s SREP proposal
ECB regulator also welcomes EC’s Pillar 2 capital suggestion
Bundesbank president: blockchain brings benefits and pitfalls
Technology has the potential to make financial markets “faster” and “more efficient”; its introduction should be accompanied by regulation
Carney warns of fading regulatory momentum
“Nascent risks” could threaten progress made so far if lawmakers and regulators give in to “reform fatigue”, the FSB chairman says
BoE collaborates with fintech firms to enhance payment system
BoE establishes new fintech community to discuss developments in the industry; next round of proof-of-concepts to examine ‘interledgers’ and threat intelligence