Central Banks
Rajan and Weber: central banks may fail next crisis test
Heavyweight economists say central banks may well find themselves intervening at the next major liquidity crisis, despite ostensible progress on resolution
PBoC’s Zhou: 6.5% growth target is ‘within reach’
Governor says he believes China’s growth target is attainable, as he urges countries to remain open to trade and investment
New governor appointed at Reserve Bank of Malawi
Former government official takes over from Charles Chuka, who spent five years as governor
Deterioration in labour market not yet hitting unemployment – Chile’s Marcel
Chilean governor says self-employment has acted as a “significant buffer” as employment declined; unemployment not yet being affected thanks to “flexibility” of market, governor says
Fed fines Deutsche Bank on Volcker rule breach
Bank hit with fines for “unsound” practices in forex markets and violation of Volcker rule; Fed’s Powell admits the rule may need simplifying
BoE’s Saunders hints at willingness to raise rates
MPC member signals he sees the UK economy running somewhat hotter than the consensus view suggests
European supervisory authorities call for changes to stress test methods
Next European stress tests should simulate yield changes and “interconnectedness”
Singapore governor says financial regulation would benefit from ‘fine tuning’
Regulation has helped strengthen the financial system, but policymakers should be wary of “pendulum swings”, Menon says; central banks should “not be afraid” to make adjustments
Volcker fights back as prop-trading ban comes under attack
Former Fed chair tells Risk.net that calls for total overhaul of eponymous rule are misplaced
Paper takes novel approach to identifying monetary policy shocks
Researcher combines dynamic factor model with changes to financial instruments
BoJ board nominations add to dovish slant
Japan’s government has nominated two economists seen as likely to support further easing, in the place of two frequent dissenters
Fresh exchange rate cap remains an option – CNB minutes
Minutes of extraordinary meeting say exchange rate commitment or other unconventional tools cannot be ruled out if deflation risks re-emerge
IMF warns bad political choices could trigger instability
Fund says financial stability has improved, but high risks remain in China, Europe and the US
Lesotho launches new core banking system without a hitch
Intellect Design Arena’s QCBS will improve the “operational efficiency” of the African central bank; system will also form the “backbone” of the Central Bank of Armenia’s upgrade
Chile’s Marcel praises Argentine reforms
IMFC chairman says reforms have “paid off”, helping the country re-enter the global economic stage; lifting of capital controls and export restrictions will contribute to Argentina’s growth in 2017
Book notes: Bankers, Bureaucrats and Central Bank Politics, by Christopher Adolph
An interesting, if slightly dated, analysis of those who made monetary policy decisions in advanced economies between 1950–2001, attempting to understand whether personal background influences decision-making
Thinking on global capital flows is muddled – BIS’s Shin
BIS head of research says policies to guard against excess global liquidity should look at underlying causes, not symptoms such as capital flows; Fed’s Fischer acknowledges policy spillovers
Research finds ways to tame FRTB’s biases in forex charges
New paper shows ways to reduce influence of reporting currency
‘Urgent’ action needed to boost bank profits – BoJ report
Financial system report notes bank profit margins have been squeezed, but says sufficient capital is supporting lending for the time being
Bank of Jamaica outlines plans to become ‘modern’ central bank
Initiatives to implement inflation-targeting framework and liberalise forex rate already under way; IMF says strengthening autonomy will help
Type of uncertainty matters for modelling – Norges Bank paper
Author develops method to “disentangle” various forms of uncertainty, finding they can have good and bad effects
Brazil stands out for ‘pioneering work’ in trade reporting – FSB
Peer review finds the South American nation has overcome many of the issues plaguing others, making it a leader among FSB jurisdictions
People: Pakistan and Uzbekistan appoint deputies; Bangladesh Bank names new chief economist
Jameel Ahmad promoted to deputy role at Pakistan central bank; former IMF mission chief appointed as chief economist at Bangladeshi central bank