Central Banks
ECB lacks power to investigate money laundering, Nouy says
Frankfurt ordered the shutdown of Latvia’s ABLV Bank after US Treasury accused it of illicit practices
Italian consumer lending more risk-priced post-2008 – paper
Institutions tightened lending to consumers based on household factors
UK lawmakers launch inquiry into DLT and cryptocurrency
Parliamentary committee is to investigate whether UK regulators have struck the right balance in regulating emerging technologies without stifling innovation
‘Tilting’ building forces Seychelles central bank tenants to relocate
Central bank annex shows signs of “tilting” due to construction work nearby; tenants asked to immediately relocate
Thailand set to approve banking agents amid inclusion push
Financial inclusion effort means people can take deposits, transfer money and pay bills at banking agents, such as small merchants and post offices
Philadelphia Fed’s Harker forecasts only two hikes in 2018
Despite stronger growth and lower unemployment, inflation remains too weak
Denmark selects Oberthur Fiduciaire as banknote supplier
The agreement will last four years, and the first notes printed by the firm are set to enter circulation in 2020
Polish central bank uses YouTube comedy to warn of digital currency dangers
Film runs up over 500,000 views, but some local media criticise lack of transparency
Central banks ‘walking a thin line’, BIS economists warn
Luiz Awazu Pereira da Silva and Jochen Schanz note central banks have little room to respond aggressively to surprises
Explicit wording sought to jolt market expectations, says Carney
Bank of England governor says committee was unusually explicit ahead of November hike to encourage markets to wake up to its signals
UK figures reveal 1.47 million people out of work
While the employment rate has continued to rise, the rate of unemployment has increased by the sharpest level in almost five years
Singapore seeks infrastructure investment boost
MAS and ministry of trade and industry to set up an infrastructure office to encourage local and international firms to build Asian infrastructure
A changing of the guard
Risks emerge amid leadership changes at the US Federal Reserve Board and the People’s Bank of China
Latvian governor attacks bribery ‘lies’
Prime Minister says governor may be target of smear, but banker widens accusations
Swedish inflation falls in January as Riksbank considers first hike
The CPI at fixed interest rates fell to 1.7% in January, compared with forecasts of 1.9%
UK’s Treasury Committee publishes contentious report on RBS
Report had been protected under UK confidentiality laws, but parliamentarians chose to publish it regardless; report highlights “widespread inappropriate treatment” of customers
Carney extols value of clarity of thought and communication
Bank of England governor delivers speech on virtues of a good leader
RBI under pressure from alleged banking fraud scandal
Alleged fraudulent transactions uncovered at Punjab National Bank undermine the firm’s capital position; RBI launches investigation into “increasing incidence of frauds”