Central Banks
Bank of Uganda takes rate hikes to 600bp in five meetings
Bank of Uganda raises rates for fifth consecutive time by 100bp to 17% in a move to curb inflation; sees earlier moves taking effect
Lane picked to lead Irish central bank
Distinguished international economist nominated in preference to civil service candidate rumoured to have been in the running; worked ‘closely’ with outgoing governor Honohan
Brainard mulls how to reduce ‘undue’ regulatory burden
Fed’s Lael Brainard discusses potential areas for reducing regulatory burden faced by banks; warns process may take longer where interagency agreement needed
‘Great moderation’ due to weaker recoveries, paper argues
The ‘great moderation’ in the US economy is still significant if analysed using a longer data set than previously, researchers argue; one of two significant falls in US volatility since 1875
Carney treads carefully amid potential threats to BoE independence
Governor expresses concern over the National Audit Office's role in the new Bank of England Bill, but dismisses fears he is harming free debate by chairing too many committees
Bullard offers alternatives to cutting reserve bank dividend
St Louis Fed president takes issue with congressional proposal to cut dividend paid to largest banks; suggests tying amount paid to benchmark rate instead or eliminating it completely
BoE needs to avoid getting ‘behind the curve’, says McCafferty
The monetary policy committee member warns against leaving the rate hike "too late", making it harder to raise it gradually to minimise disruption to households and businesses
BoE’s Bailey defends dropping reverse burden of proof
PRA chief says decision to backtrack on key element of senior managers regime makes the rules more robust; rejects suggestion he has been ‘cowed by the lawyers’
US softens discourse on renminbi ahead of SDR review
Treasury drops 'significantly undervalued' reference in flagship report to Congress on foreign exchange rate policies ahead of IMF review next month
Sarb publishes first draft of forex code of conduct
New code of conduct proposed for South African foreign exchange over-the-counter market, though official review finds no evidence of malpractice
Repeat of Asian crisis ‘unlikely’, say Singapore bank chiefs
Policy-makers are responding more proactively to risks than in 1997, they say, while economies are seen as much stronger
EBA plots shift to new phase of work
As European banking legislation is finalised, the institution plans to concentrate more on harmonisation and less on standard-setting; expanding workload contrasts with shrinking budget
PRA plans to subject ‘other systemic institutions’ to tougher scrutiny
Institutions designated as O-Siis would face tighter scrutiny and be expected to produce resolution plans, with the potential for further measures in the future
Ireland to move to euro rounding next week
Shoppers in Ireland will have transactions rounded to nearest five cents, Central Bank of Ireland says; scheme to be voluntary and apply only to cash payments
Eurozone monetary policy works through credit channel, paper argues
Strong evidence eurozone monetary policy works through the credit channel rather than the interest rate channel, paper says; unconventional monetary policy strongest in crisis
No clear evidence for always using trend inflation in models, paper says
Adding positive steady-state inflation to new Keynesian DSGE models improves analysis of high-inflation periods but otherwise does not significantly alter results, paper argues
Eichengreen says central banks lack will not ability to tackle deflation
Central banks have the tools to deal with bad deflation if they are willing to act aggressively enough, economist argues; broadening asset purchases or helicopter money are both options
Ireland’s Gerlach points to indirect impact of macro-prudential tools
Deputy governor says evidence suggests LTV and LTI tools are having the strongest effect via indirect channels, rather than their direct impact on credit, although the tools are still new
Sovereign debt holdings ‘significant’ driver of insurer risk, Bundesbank paper says
Insurance companies at risk from holdings of sovereign debt, and current regulation does not adequately deal with problem, paper argues