Governance
SNB posts smaller-than-forecast loss
Swiss National Bank’s first half loss $949m smaller than expected as gold and UBS bailout vehicle put in strong performances; reverses end-2009 purchase of UBS shares to guard against loss
Lessons from Bill Taylor and the last financial crisis
Kansas City Federal Reserve publishes a short biography of former FDIC chairman
RBI moots new bank licences to increase competition
Reserve Bank of India says it may issue new bank licences; higher capital requirements are expected
BIS’s Hannoun flags dangers of exceptional measures
Bank for International Settlements’ Hannoun calls on central banks to shrink balance sheets
Sarb bill passes in parliament’s lower house
South Africa’s National Assembly approves package of amendments edifying central bank law against shareholder machinations
Israel’s Fischer starts search for new bank supervisor
Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer appoints committee to find replacement for departing bank supervisor Rony Hizkiyahu; hails Hizkiyahu’s leadership in a difficult time
Nomura snares RBS's Melph as global head of central bank and sovereign wealth sales
Central banks and sovereign wealth funds have become an increasingly important source of revenue for derivatives dealers.
FSA exodus stokes fears of anaemic operations
Regulator revealed to have shed 121 personnel in second quarter of the year, 128% up on a year previous; insists it still draws top talent, but commentators worry resignations will weaken it
FDIC’s general counsel resigns
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation general counsel Michael Bradfield becomes second high profile figure to leave this week
Top US economic adviser Christina Romer quits
Chair of US President’s Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer resigns, citing family reasons; thought to be interested in Janet Yellen’s post at San Francisco Fed
RBI drastically cuts deputy governor Chakrabarty’s role
Reserve Bank of India removes five of deputy governor Kamalesh Chakrabarty’s nine portfolios; move linked to Chakrabarty’s out-of-turn comments on monetary policy
Pakistan set to appoint new governor in coming weeks
State Bank of Pakistan says new governor must be in place by beginning of September, but no frontrunners yet
Bair’s senior adviser leaves FDIC
Senior adviser to markets Joseph Jiampietro departs FDIC after less than 18 months
Philippines’ Tetangco launches book on CB law
Central Bank of the Philippines governor Amando Tetangco praises in-house legal team
Ex-deputy Muto endorses Bank of Japan’s anti-inflation targeting stance
Former Bank of Japan deputy governor Toshiro Muto says introducing inflation targets, as government wishes, will not cure deflation; analysts agree
Argentina dips into central bank profit to finance expenditure
Central Bank of Argentina transfers $760m from last year’s profits to government to find expenditure; government unwilling to tap bond markets until yields come down sufficiently
Fed finally set for full complement of governors
Senate Banking Committee okays Janet Yellen for Fed vice-chair; Peter Diamond and Sarah Raskin also approved for Fed board; first time six governors have served the Fed in more than four years
Kosovo’s incarcerated governor hit with fresh charges
Kosovo’s central bank governor Hashim Rexhep charged with allegedly abusing official position and receiving bribes
Buba’s Sarrazin under racial hatred investigation
German prosecutors launch investigations into racist comments made by Bundesbank executive board member Thilo Sarrazin; central bank maintains silence over controversy