Central Banks
RBA offshoot used prostitutes and bribes to win contracts: police witness alleges
Former employee of Securency, a Reserve Bank of Australia offshoot, alleges firm used bribes and prostitutes to win contracts to supply polymer substrate to foreign central banks
Richmond Fed – Annual Report 2009
Richmond Federal Reserve study on systemic risk finds that policy interventions may harm market incentives if implemented during a crisis
Bank of Spain bail-out spooks investors
Spanish central bank’s rescue of savings bank CajaSur on Saturday sees Spanish bank shares falling on Monday; central bank says rescued bank accounts for very small percentage of system overall
Foreign holdings of US Treasuries fall for second straight week
Data show holdings of US Treasuries by foreign central banks with accounts at the Federal Reserve declined for a second successive week; use of swap lines lower than expected
Rate round-up: Israel opts to hold
Israeli, Kenyan, Turkish and Serbian central banks’ rates remain unchanged
Volcker rule fails to make approved Dodd bill
Key amendment omitted; Fed gains powers but will face audit in sweeping regulatory reform
Norges Bank takes billion dollar hit in 2009
Annual accounts show Norway's central bank lost Nkr7.6 billion ($1.16 billion) in 2009
ECB's Trichet: ESRB will deliver macroprudential oversight
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet outlines role of European Systemic Risk Board in supervisory framework
Bank of Canada: Credibility helps keep inflation expectations anchored
Bank of Canada study shows central bank credibility helped anchor inflation expectations during global financial crisis
Riksbank's Persson: don't shoot CDS "messenger"
The Swedish central bank uses CDS spreads as an indicator of financial stability
Eurozone crisis weighs on Swiss exit plans: SNB's Jordan
Swiss National Bank deputy head Thomas Jordan says normalisation of monetary policy hampered by eurozone debt crisis
Iran's central bank faces sanctions squeeze
Iranian central bank's dealings could come under international spotlight if Security Council passes nuclear sanctions package
Weber calls for broader scope to Basel III
Bundesbank President Axel Weber says new Basel rules should incorporate a macroprudential element to overcome systemic risks
FOMC minutes reveals divergent views on timing of asset sales
Federal Reserve minutes outlines discussions over an asset sale programme at the FOMC meetings in April
IMF’s Lipsky: IMF should be at core of global financial safety net
IMF first deputy director John Lipsky says Fund is best placed to introduce global safety net
Norges Bank: payment prices should reflect costs
The Norges Bank annual report on payment systems calls for greater efficiency in sector
Hungarian prime minister-elect hints at Simor ouster
Hungary’s incoming prime minister gives clearest sign so far that András Simor’s days as central bank governor could be numbered; party wants a central bank that will stimulate economy
Macroprudential tools need hard, fast rules: BIS
Basel-based Committee on the Global Financial System says macroprudential policy needs as strong a mandate as monetary policy to work
Trichet lays first stone at ECB’s new HQ
ECB president marks the start of building work at a ceremony in Frankfurt
Dubai World agrees restructuring terms
Government owned investment company agrees the terms of a $23.5 billion restructuring effort with creditors and state; markets welcome news