Central Banks
Norges Bank board to meet more and publish minutes
Governor Øystein Olsen says the Norwegian central bank is looking to be more transparent around monetary policy; the executive board holds the key rate at 0.5%
New Zealand takes step towards new FMI framework
Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Financial Markets Authority in line for new regulatory powers under framework approved by cabinet; will be put to public before being introduced to parliament
Russian central bank working closely with finance ministry, governor says
Nabiullina says two agencies are collaborating on draft laws on regulation
Trade uncertainty is harming growth prospects – Poloz
Bank of Canada governor says uncertainty surrounding US trade policies is harming investment in both Canada and Mexico; Poloz is “not surprised” investors are reacting cautiously
Pakistan appoints deputy as interim governor
Governor Wathra not appointed for second three-year term despite reviving the banking sector; Riazuddin appointed for a provisional period of three months until replacement can be found
Cash holdings lessen chance of ‘forced sales’ by mutual funds, paper says
Researchers use data on Italian open-ended mutual funds
ECB paper looks at PSPP’s ‘flow effects’ on sovereign bond yields
“Flow effects” have limited but real impact, researchers find
BoJ should provide ‘more realistic’ projections – former policy board member
Claims constant overestimation of inflation expectations undermines credibility
UK report sets out steps to unify payment services operators
Move would help drive “innovation and competition”, working group chairman says
Esma calls for tougher regulation of credit ratings agencies
European laws mentioning credit ratings should be revised, regulator says
All aboard the blockchain
The underpinning architecture of bitcoin and other crypto-currencies – distributed ledger technology – has the potential to revolutionise digital payments, with some central banks working out how to harness ‘the blockchain’
Zimbabwe central bank actions like ‘putting lipstick on a frog’
Economic crisis is reminiscent of meltdown preceding dollarisation in 2008, but authorities have fewer options this time
Olsen highlights the importance of responsible investment
New ethics rules saw numerous companies excluded from the GPFG last year
UK’s Royal Mint challenges coin-note boundary
Director for circulating coin claims new feature will allow the new £1 coin to challenge low-denomination banknotes in terms of security
ECB says EC must look at regulation of non-bank finance
Central bank calls for “careful balance” on securitisation proposals
ECB paper studies impact of Fed surprises on other countries
Researchers find similar effects on real economy but differences in financial impacts
Worst could be yet to come, warns Sarb
Further credit downgrades could result in further outflows of investment in South Africa, threatening the strength of the rand and overall financial stability; governor Kganyago says central bank will work to avoid more volatility
BoJ’s Kuroda cites three channels to promote financial inclusion
Bank of Japan governor urges policymakers to enhance financial inclusion in Asia