International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Turkey vulnerable to sudden stop, IMF warns
Central bank action on rates, operating framework and reserves would help shore up the country’s weak external position and tame inflation, fund says
Macro-prudential policies should apply to shadow banking sector, researchers argue
Macro-prudential policies can have substitution effects between bank and non-bank credit, working paper says; macro-prudential policy should be extended towards the non-bank sector
Ukraine unifies main rate while easing policy
Ukraine’s central bank moves to “streamline” operational framework, while adopting an easier stance in the face of falling inflation
Swiss National Bank loans $200m to Ukraine
Switzerland’s central bank will loan $200m to its Ukrainian counterpart to replenish its reserves; move comes as political uncertainty clouds future of Ukraine’s IMF funding
IMF director calls for fiscal expansion in eurozone
Greek attempts to consolidate fiscal position by increasing top tax rates ‘simply not working’, director says
IMF will consider macro-prudential policies in capital flow ‘stock-take’
Lagarde sheds light on stocktaking exercise that will use Article IVs over past three years to assess how IMF’s guidance on “capital flow management” has worked in practice
New Tunisian central bank law boosts independence and expands mandate
Law governing the Tunisian central bank is amended, with the aim of increasing independence and giving the bank a financial stability role; law drafted by the central bank with IMF assistance
People: Turkey nominates new governor; McDermott to step down from FCA
Turkish government picks deputy to replace Erdem Başçı, but he must still be confirmed by the president; UK’s interim FCA chief says she will leave when her successor takes office; and more
Viñals supports negative interest rates in current climate
Financial counsellor believes negative rates are helpful, but there are limits regarding how low they can go and how long they can stay there
Angolan authorities request help from IMF
IMF to start talks with authorities regarding an economic programme, which one analyst believes exceeds loan received after financial crisis
IMF working paper assess fiscal councils
Research considers the efficacy of independent fiscal institutions in “taming the deficit bias” that emerged in the 1970s, as well as assessing their performance more recently
IMF urges action to prevent global economy ‘stalling’ and ease central bank burden
Maurice Obstfeld highlights risk of “widespread secular stagnation” as IMF publishes latest WEO; details fiscal and structural support needed to ease burden on monetary policy
Senior IMF figures support nominal negative rates
Negative nominal interest rates can help deliver additional monetary stimulus, senior figures at the IMF "tentatively" conclude
New Moldovan governor takes up post
New governor at Moldovan central bank must deal with after-effects of massive theft from three commercial banks; Sergiu Cioclea previously worked for BNP Paribas
IMF working paper sees regulation as key driver of decline in foreign lending
Research contends regulatory tightening is behind much of the ‘sluggishness’ in international banking since the crisis; exploits survey data compiled in preparation for GFSR
Communist party official and former deputy nominated as Vietnam governor
New prime minister nominates Le Minh Hung shortly after inauguration; national assembly relieves former governor with 87% voting in favour
Book notes: Bretton Woods: the next 70 years
The Bretton Woods Committee has assembled a large number of distinguished authors for this volume, but ultimately the book ends up long on problems and short on solutions
People: Bank of Estonia reappoints deputies; Lagarde wants to reappoint IMF first deputy
Bank of Estonia hands new terms to Ülo Kaasik and Madis Müller; David Lipton in line for reappointment at IMF; Graeme Wheeler to head up BIS Asian Consultative Council; and more
West African union must improve monetary transmission, IMF staff say
The West African Economic and Monetary Union must increase the effectiveness of monetary policy, IMF staff say; reforms should target bank refinancing and government securities markets
Europe set for new Greek clash as Lagarde hits back over leaks
IMF chief has sharp words for the Greek prime minister after staff phone conversation is posted online by Wikileaks; debt relief remains a major sticking point as July repayment looms
Reformed IMF could strengthen global safety net – paper
Improving the International Monetary Fund may require revised toolkit; global financial safety net is failing in many regards, and needs reform, IMF policy paper says
Solomon Islands urged to include renminbi in exchange rate basket by IMF staff
IMF staff suggest changes to exchange rate regime; Solomon Island authorities will consider expanding basket, but reject suggestion of using cash reserve ratio to mop up excess liquidity
AFI’s Hannig sees central banks bolstering resources to drive inclusion
Alfred Hannig expects central banks gradually to increase resources devoted to inclusion as they take more responsibility for the area; Alliance for Financial Inclusion announces independence
IMF urges Mauritius to form macro-prudential authority
Central bank would have “prominent” role in new authority; as a first step, IMF staff recommend establishing a technical group featuring representatives from multiple stakeholders