Central Banks
Basel Committee praises progress in reducing FX settlement risk
Consultative document highlights progress made in reducing foreign exchange settlement risks; updated guidelines warn that significant risks still remain
Central Bank of Chile holds rates as currency appreciates
Benchmark interest rate left at 5% amid international uncertainty and appreciating peso; first time currency’s gain has been highlighted since dollar-buying programme
HKMA re-appoints Standard Chartered as euro settlement institution
Standard Chartered Bank given a third five-year contract to run the euro real-time gross settlement system in Hong Kong; commended for operating the system “smoothly and effectively” since 2003
Australian payments systems board debates multi-network cards
Introduction of contactless payments reignites discussion surrounding cards issued by banks with debit functionality from more than one payments network; consultation launched
Boston Fed paper investigates uncertainty in interbank markets
Research examines role of uncertainty in causing the collapse of interbank lending markets; finds government intervention to provide information may help to restart lending
Bank of Canada estimates measurement bias in CPI
Article assesses degree of bias in the consumer prices index; suggests more frequent updating of goods basket would allow for more accurate measurement
IMF paper studies monetary impact of household production
Working paper designs model that adds a household sector to the economy, which competes with firms in the service sector; finds this amplifies the transmission of monetary shocks
Central Bank of Chile paper tests evidence of asset price booms
Researcher finds evidence that capital flows drive asset price booms; identifies factors that mitigate this effect but says capital controls are not effective
Central Bank of Ireland highlights varied success of aid programmes
Research note examines progress of five European countries with EU-IMF programmes towards meeting debt sustainability targets; warns Ireland is likely to miss targets
Oman and Bahrain central banks outline plans for Eid
Preparations underway for banking sector shutdown and cash demand surge during religious celebrations; both Central Bank of Bahrain and Central Bank of Oman will shut
Central Bank of Brazil celebrates Olympics handover with new coins
Two commemorative coins released this month in honour of the arrival of the Olympic flag in Brazil; images symbolising London and Rio de Janeiro feature in the designs
IMF paper evaluates reserve adequacy in emerging markets
Working paper studies the determinants of reserve holdings in emerging markets and small islands; proposes measure of reserve adequacy
Malaysian growth rate exceeds target
Report published by Bank Negara Malaysia on economic developments in second quarter shows increase in growth beyond level forecast in annual report; central bank expects trend to continue
Central banks make “record” gold purchases in Q2
World Gold Council says central banks bought 254.2 tonnes of gold in the first half of 2012; Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Guatemala among the countries that added to reserves
Bank of Israel paper says Europe is sub-optimal currency area
Research examines political problems with economic and monetary union in Europe; says Europe is a “dubious candidate” for an optimal currency area
Central Bank of Barbados notes strong but static banking sector
Financial stability update shows domestic banking system has sufficient capital to withstand significant losses; says overall credit to private sector remained flat in past year
ECB paper investigates policy effect on bank risk-taking
Working paper finds both positive and negative impact of monetary policy on bank risk-taking; suggests this makes it impossible for regulators to design optimal capital requirements
FSB launches peer review of resolution regimes
Questionnaire sent out by Financial Stability Board aims to provide comparative analysis of members’ resolution regimes to identify gaps and evaluate progress
National Bank of Hungary paper highlights cash supply efficiency methods
Occasional paper from Hungarian central bank recommends ways of improving cash supply system; looks to exploit public and private business networks
NBS management weakens as fourth council member quits
Kosta Josifidis resigns from the National Bank of Serbia’s Council of the Governor leaving just one member remaining; doubts continue over central bank’s future as politicisation fears mount
CLS hires JP Morgan veteran as chief executive
David Puth, the former chair of the New York Fed's FX Committee, will become the next chief executive of CLS next week