Governance
Iran central bank slams latest asset freeze ruling
Luxembourg court freezes $1.6 billion of central bank assets amid terrorism compensation case; legal battle may have implications for Iran’s nuclear deal
Bank of Canada’s C$460m refurbishment on time and on budget – Poloz
Construction workers have spent past three years gutting old head office and renewing interior to meet modern standards; annual report sheds light on costs
Women on policy boards support prudent decision-making – research
Paper examines the impact of women on monetary policy decision making; authors’ results reveal the presence of women tends to lead to more “hawkish” decisions
PBoC appoints two to monetary policy committee
Guo Shuqing and Ding Xuedong join policymaking panel in reshuffle of senior officials
Carney: no double standards on conduct at BoE
Governor says central bank held itself to even higher standards than it expects of regulated firms in dealing with Charlotte Hogg’s disclosure mistake
RBA’s Ellis examines the central banking community’s gender problem
RBA makes changes to processing candidate applications to remove unconscious bias, Ellis says; central bank recognises women face challenges when entering economics
People: Wilkins part of new IMF fintech team; Kanungo appointed as RBI deputy
Bank of Canada deputy joins IMF’s new fintech group; new deputy governor to take office at RBI; and more
Russian central bank opens first overseas office in Beijing
Russian and Chinese authorities announce a collaboration on payment systems and money laundering prevention
Ukraine central bank proposes sanctions on Russian-owned banks
The move follows nationalist demonstrations against the central bank’s governor, Valeria Gontareva
IMF Paris explosion leaves one injured
Letter bomb explodes at the IMF headquarters in Paris, less than a day after an explosive device was sent to the German finance minister; Lagarde condemns the “cowardly act”
Charlotte Hogg resigns from Bank of England
New deputy governor is stepping down as a damning report on her conflict of interest and suitability for the role is published
Atlanta Fed names new president
Raphael Bostic will be first African-American to be a regional Fed president
BoJ working to earthquake-proof its headquarters
Historic building has survived major disasters in the past, but the BoJ now wants to put the 75,000 ton building on “seismic isolation bearings”
People: FSB appoints Kganyago and Chan to committees; Bank of Spain picks new directors-general
Financial Stability Board replaces Menon and Tarullo with South African and HKMA governors; Bank of Spain makes appointments in financial stability and supervision; and more
Hauser makes case for BoE’s second line of defence
Ballooning balance sheet and growing contingent liabilities raise need for central bank to bring its risk management in line with “best practice”, executive director says
Hogg admits to breaching BoE’s code of conduct
New deputy governor says she failed to declare her brother’s role with Barclays; BoE Court officials say it is a “very serious breach” but not a “hanging offence”
MAS director calls for firms to promote good governance
As regulations shift towards strengthening culture at firms, there is only so much central banks can do, MAS’ Ngiap says; firms must put customers before profit
ECCB building named in honour of former governor
ECCB names central bank building after its longest-serving governor, Dwight Venner; current governor and former colleague pay tribute to late governor
Don Kohn: ‘Rancorous’ political climate enhances need for ‘non-partisan expertise’
The Fed veteran and Central Banking Lifetime achievement award-winner says central banks will find it “even more difficult” to improve their performance and public regard, given the current political backdrop
Lifetime achievement award: Donald Kohn
Donald Kohn’s objectivity, intelligence, humour, tireless energy and iron determination to get the job done epitomise the role of a dedicated public servant. He serves as an inspiration to others
Sri Lankan central bank rejects finance minister’s accusation
Bank says it followed existing law in issuing and re-issuing bonds
Norges Bank increases staffing in 2016
Annual report shows 8% increase in staff levels, as well as changes to the governance structure; central bank makes a slight loss due to exchange rate movements
Sarb shares back on sale after long legal battle
Central bank’s lawyers have been grappling with activist investors since before the global crisis; court victory allows Sarb to put shares on sale
People: Ireland deputy departs for private sector; BoE’s Broadbent to sit on new prudential committee
Cyril Roux to leave the Central Bank of Ireland in April; Mark Carney appoints Ben Broadbent to new prudential regulation committee; and more