Central Banks
Bank of Portugal shifts research focus after Gaspar review
Portuguese central bank sets new research priorities following a strategic review; internal commission places emphasis on quarterly publication and career development
Fed overhauls collateral requirements for discount window
The changes, including separate requirements for fixed-rate and floating-rate loans posted by depository institutions, could make it harder to obtain central bank liquidity
Central Bank of Ecuador deposits half its gold with Goldman Sachs
Three-year deal sees the bank swap half-a-million ounces of bullion for ‘high security instruments and liquidity', ostensibly to cover government's widening fiscal deficit
Chile minutes reveal commitment to hit inflation target
Above-target inflation dissuaded the Central Bank of Chile's monetary policy-makers from cutting rates despite fears over an expanding output gap
Dutch economists back OMTs
Researchers find the dispersion of lending and deposit rates in the eurozone is largely attributable to the differences in the sovereign risk of its member states
US overtakes Taiwan as offshore RMB clearing centre
The value of RMB payments between the US and China jumped 229% in the year to April 2014, helping the US overtake Taiwan as the third-biggest offshore RMB clearing centre
BIS figures show cross-border lending on the mend outside the eurozone
Statistics for the final quarter of 2014 show cross-border lending recovering in most of the world, especially China, but continuing to decline in the eurozone
Rajan 'cognisant' of state financing needs as RBI loosens credit restraints
Reserve Bank of India holds key rate at 8% despite spike in food prices; takes steps towards creating a ‘more generalised provision of system liquidity’
Norges Bank poised to complete shift from FX buyer to seller before year's end
The Norwegian central bank sends strong signal it will make no foreign exchange purchases this year; analysts predict bank will make ‘symbolic shift' to net-seller in Q4
People: Dewatripont is new Belgian no.2; RBA appoints new economics research head
Mathias Dewatripont replaces Françoise Masai as vice-governor of the National Bank of Belgium; RBA promotes Alexandra Heath as Jonathan Kearns heads for the BIS; and more
Mersch fears policy-makers are in last-chance saloon
European voters have given policy-makers the mandate to build a better eurozone, but their patience could run out, ECB executive board member says
Europe’s ‘bloated’ banking system could be harming growth, says ESRB committee
Report by advisers to European Systemic Risk Board says the banking system is ‘overweight’ and prescribes a number of remedies, including securitisation of SME loans
Opinion: The ECB is in danger of losing its voice
Mario Draghi's primary monetary policy tool - communication - may no longer be enough, says Patrick Artus of Natixis
IMF says Japan's 'aggressive' QQE could be needed for ‘extended period’
The Bank of Japan may have to keep QQE running for ‘an extended period of time’ according to the IMF, and should consider providing forward guidance on its asset purchases
Malaysian deputy promotes Islamic finance as means of channelling funds to SMEs
Muhammad bin Ibrahim tells African policy-makers to ‘start where it matters most’ and promote Islamic financial products that assist low income groups and SMEs
Fed's Lacker highlights 'critical, misconstrued' distinction between monetary and credit policy
Action constitutes monetary policy if quantity of liabilities is altered and credit policy if portfolio composition changes without affecting liabilities, Richmond Fed head says
Monetary policy stance will 'continue to be tight', says Turkish central bank
Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, which lowered interest rates last week, says slowdown in consumer loans and weak private demand is expected to keep lid on inflation
FOMC's Esther George wants rate lift-off ‘shortly' after end to taper
Kansas City Fed chief says banks are responding to low rates ‘as we should expect' and notes an all-time high of $600 billion of leveraged US loans were issued last year
Obama urged to fill Fed board with community bankers and financial reform champions
Leading Democrats on Senate Banking Committee say it is 'critical' that two vacant Fed board seats are filled by nominees with 'strong commitment to financial reform'
Bank of England appoints ten new directors
Names are unveiled ahead of the BoE's sweeping structural overhaul that comes into force next week; nine out of 10 appointees comes from inside the bank