Central Banks
Anglo chiefs approached me before crash: ex-central bank director
Former Central Bank of Ireland director Alan Gray says chairman and chief executive of now state-owned Anglo Irish Bank approached him over liquidity stress in lead up to government guarantee, crisis
Political instability hampers growth: IMF research
Fund study shows political instability significantly reduces economic growth
Research underestimates probability of reaching zero bound: San Francisco Fed
San Francisco Federal Reserve paper says probability of hitting the zero lower bound of interest rate is often underestimated in economic research
PBoC allows Chinese firms to invest renminbi abroad
People’s Bank of China to allow domestic banks to settle investments abroad in renminbi as part of cross-border investment pilot
Bank of Japan to revamp website
The Bank of Japan to launch new site at the end of the month; says changes will make information more easily accessible
Gold could hit $1,600 in 2011, say analysts
Commentators say investor appetite for the precious metal will continue to soar as concerns over US economy, eurozone sovereign debt issues, persist
EBA plans new round of stress tests
New European Banking Authority announces second round of stress tests for European banks at opening meeting
Virtual art showcase centrepiece of Finnish website re-launch
Bank of Finland unveils renovated internet portal at new address, featuring virtual tours of building and extensive art collection
Oberthur seeks equity house support in De La Rue takeover bid: reports
French banknote firm Oberthur reportedly in talks to issue private equity houses with convertible bond to fund De La Rue acquisition
Senior officials for new European regulators named
European regulators in Paris and Frankfurt appoint a number of new heads and board members
Portugal succeeds at auction but fails to sway analysts
Portugal sells $1.6 billion worth of government debt at auction, but commentators remain wary of fundamentals
Argentinean central bank okays $7.5 billion loan to state
Central Bank of Argentina approves loan of $7.5 billion of reserves to repay bondholders; move is central bank’s latest measure to bail out government
Fed uncooperative and audit insufficient, claims influential senator
US senator Bernie Sanders dissatisfied with Federal Reserve’s response to further questions on audit of emergency lending facilities
IMF paper identifies de-dollarisation drivers in South America
Fund study says de-dollarisation of deposits and development of local capital markets key factors in Latin American countries
IMF’s Lipsky calls for major US fiscal consolidation
IMF first deputy managing director, John Lipsky, says measures to ease debt burden in Unites States could have broader benefits for global recovery
South Korea promotes use of SWF to acquire foreign businesses: reports
Korea’s Presidential Council on National Competitiveness head Kang Man-soo says Korea Investment Corporation can help expand mergers and acquisitions abroad
Fed profits soar to record $80.9 billion
Federal Reserve posts another record profit, trumping 2009 by $27.5 billion; paves the way for $78.4 billion transfer to US Treasury
Barclays’ Diamond argues case for universal banking
Barclays' chief executive Bob Diamond adamant bank’s model funds cheaper lending and is less risky