Central Banks
UK government publishes Financial Services Bill
New legislation to fundamentally change financial regulation in the UK; fears raised that the important issue of the accountability of the Bank of England has not been addressed fully
CB.com poll result says eurozone break-up comments are not irresponsible
CentralBanking.com poll shows majority of participants believe non-eurozone central bankers are not acting recklessly by commenting on a possible break-up of the euro
Central bankers gather in Davos for World Economic Forum
Central banking is a hot topic at this year's World Economic Forum; attendees of the event discuss issues in Russia, Poland, China and more
Sarb proposes further adjustments to open market operations
South African Reserve Bank wants to allocate amounts tendered by banks in repo auctions on a pro rata basis, to enhance efficiency of its monetary policy operations
Monetary policy can ease sovereign risk, says IMF paper
Fund study shows sovereign risk becomes a critical determinant of macroeconomic outcomes if the central bank is constrained in counteracting higher risk premiums
Core inflation is a poor forecaster of future price levels, says Brazilian research
Central Bank of Brazil study finds core inflation is a poor directional indicator for future headline inflation
BoE’s Salmon expects tighter regulation of payment operations
Bank of England executive director of banking services says authorities will pay more attention to network of payment operations and question the internal organisation of firms’ operations
Lebanon’s Salame vows to apply Syria sanctions
Bank of Lebanon governor Riad Salame says Lebanese banks will not undertake any activity in Syria that might embarrass correspondent banks
Finland commemorates the end of the markka
New book describes the history of Finnish banknotes and museum exhibition displays competition entries for past currency design contests
Bernanke to give student lectures
Chairman of the Federal Reserve will deliver a series of lectures to university students in the US
Fed communication overhaul reveals split in rate forecasts
Federal Reserve survey of individual policy-makers’ interest rate expectations shows five-year split on when to make first federal funds rate rise; Fed falls short of inflation target
Battle for ECB executive board seat underway
Question of whether next executive board member will break tradition and come from outside the biggest European economies lingers; finance ministers yet to pick favourite from candidates
Bangladesh Bank calls on government to borrow less
Bangladesh central bank wants to bring inflation to single digits and halt foreign currency reserve “depletion”; hopes government borrowing will not “crowd out” available liquidity in banking system
Tajikistan announces enhanced payments systems
National Bank of Tajikistan launches national processing centre' striving to bring banking services up to date
Trichet to join board of aerospace group EADS, say reports
Former European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet linked to seat on board of Franco-German aerospace and defence group EADS
CNB’s Singer condemns approach towards EFSF
Czech National Bank governor Miroslav Singer calls on policy-makers to eliminate uncertainties relating to the European Financial Stability Facility
Debt ceiling acts as fiscal stabiliser, says IMF paper
Fund study shows the introduction of a debt ceiling may reduce the pro-cyclicality of fiscal policy and consumption volatility
Russia gears up for central securities depository
Russian central securities depository (CSD) could be ready by the end of 2012, although there is more work to be done
Exclusive: Ex-Kosovo governor recalls ‘surprise’ arrest
Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo’s former governor Hashim Rexhepi recounts his 18-month battle with prosecuters over alleged corruption; says he will seek compensation for his ordeal
ECB faces pressure to take haircut on Greek debt
Institute of International Finance and International Monetary Fund discuss option of official sector involvement for Greek bondholders, as negotiations with private sector fail to reach conclusion