Central Banks
Pricing and funding pressures from BoE's QT hit gilt repo dealers
QT-driven funding cost rises combined with clients’ price demands see at least two banks pull back
Half of middle income central banks intervened in FX markets in 2023
Liquidity tranches form largest part of reserves in lower-middle income countries
Experts split on impact of Fed’s new Basel III proposal
Economists divided over financial stability ramifications of vice-chair’s new capital ratios plan
PBoC keeps benchmark rates unchanged
Bank holds one- and five-year loan prime rates, despite weak economic data
IMF review of Russia’s economy ‘postponed indefinitely’
Regular Article IV consultation cancelled after international pressure
Bank of Japan holds policy rate
Decision comes as core inflation accelerates for fourth consecutive month
Sri Lanka reaches new agreement to restructure debt
Central bank involved in reaching deal, which came two days before presidential election
BIS warns of growing offshore reinsurance risk
Deals by private equity-backed life firms could mask risk in $25 trillion industry, report says
Risk departments propose benchmarks at most central banks
Investment committees increasingly empowered to approve reserve benchmarks
Norges Bank holds rates and hints at easing path in 2025
Central bank says core inflation of more than 3% precludes cuts this year
Brazil raises policy rate by 25bp in unanimous decision
Central bank defies global easing cycle as domestic inflation remains above target
Turkey holds key interest rate again
Move comes as inflation, though falling, remains above 50%
BoE keeps policy rate and pace of QT unchanged
Policy-makers back “gradual approach” to lowering interest rates
Hong Kong raises rate and Taiwan holds
Decisions come a day after Fed’s 50bp rate cut
Most high income central banks engage in securities lending
But liquidity stress-testing tends to be common practice across middle income institutions
Running the numbers on Barr’s Basel III endgame revisions
Fed vice-chair’s plan to ease capital requirements for big banks still lacks critical details
FOMC initiates rate cutting with 50bp reduction
Experts say Fed’s credibility is not on the line, but Powell remains under significant pressure
Central banks face risks if they exceed their brief on global warming – IMF paper
Study says climate measures must be underpinned by legal mandate and not infringe on governments’ remits
Central bank digital currencies must be user-friendly – ECB study
To be widely adopted, CBDCs will need to combine best aspects of existing payment methods
Book notes: The monetarists: the making of the Chicago monetary tradition, 1927-1960, by George S Tavlas
A fascinating, scholarly and sympathetic account of the Chicago monetary tradition
Bank Indonesia announces surprising rate cut
Central bank aiming to boost growth amid stable inflation and global easing cycle
Rise in UK services inflation curbs bets on BoE rate cut
CPI flat overall, but economists say uptick in core and services numbers likely to make policy-makers pause
Large reserve holders use external managers for intel and new assets
Staff training trumps new asset class adoption as overall goal for third parties’ engagement