Már Guðmundsson
Iceland central bank holds first meeting of payment council
New body aims to ensure security and efficiency in payments and financial infrastructure
Iceland’s new macroeconomic council faces up to wage challenges
Collaboration between government, central bank and labour market groups aims to bring bouts of rapid wage growth under control and better co-ordinate policy
Iceland prepares for offshore króna auction
Date set for major step towards lifting capital controls, as holders of offshore króna are offered chance to swap currency, albeit at punitive rates
Conditions for lifting capital controls ‘could hardly be better' – Guðmundsson
Central Bank of Iceland governor says it is important to press ahead with liberalisation while the economy is strong and financial system stable, in latest financial stability report
Capital flow measures needed before offshore krona auction, says Guðmundsson
If the currency auction goes to plan, inward flows could strengthen and the Central Bank of Iceland needs the tools to resist them, its governor says
Capital controls essential for small open economies, Guðmundsson says
Small open economies cannot conduct fully independent monetary policy if they are unwilling to use capital controls at least some of the time, Icelandic governor says
Iceland’s Guðmundsson sees role for IMF as arbiter of capital flows
Small open economies are being forced to take sub-optimal actions to defend themselves from capital flows, and while global ‘rules of the game’ are far off, IMF monitoring could be a first step
Iceland’s Guðmundsson plans post-capital controls monetary redesign
‘Inflation targeting plus plus’ would help the small, open economy to pursue independent monetary policy, insulated from violent capital flows, the Icelandic governor tells Central Banking
Charitable governor vows to deliver next interest rate decision in Christmas sweater
Mar Guðmundsson's promise part of national anti-bullying campaign; calls on central bankers to be ‘more open' to charitable causes and have ‘some fun with it'
Iceland renovates approach to financial stability
Már Guðmundsson comments on introduction of financial stability council and systemic risk committee in Central Bank of Iceland publications
Iceland governor included in three-man shortlist to replace him
Sitting governor Mar Guðmundsson is one of three deemed ‘very well qualified' to take the next term as head of the central bank
IMF calls on Iceland to defend central bank credibility
As the evaluation committee prepares to interview candidates for governor, IMF visit reminds Iceland of the need for a credible and independent central bank
Icelandic police chief heads ‘bizarre' committee to choose next governor
Icelandic economists criticise choice of Reykjavik police chief to chair three-person panel charged with recommending the next central bank governor
Iceland changes monetary policy framework as capital controls set to be lifted
The central bank's overhaul of key instruments in anticipation of balance sheet reduction and lifting of capital controls signals start of policy normalisation six years after crisis
Iceland governor must re-apply for post as government mulls central bank shake-up
Ministry of finance says decision to review central bank's governing structure means it will advertise for applications for governorship; media speculate that political motives play a part
Iceland governor denies 'playing politics' over plans for household debt relief
Mar Guðmundsson says government plans to reduce household debt burden will not involve 'printing money'; rejects reports that he was accused of ‘playing politics’ by prime minister
Iceland’s Guðmundsson backs MAS-style stability model
Icelandic governor says managed float and strong supervision are important lessons to be taken from Singapore; says capital controls helped avoid a default in Iceland, but should not be used lightly
Central Bank of Iceland’s Már Guðmundsson on crisis management and capital controls
Lessons learned from Iceland’s crisis resulted in the IMF changing its rulebook on the use of capital controls. But the country’s change in fortunes is no ‘miracle’ (scroll down for interview).1
Iceland’s Guðmundsson identifies flaw in banking union plans
Már Guðmundsson warns lack of foreign currency lender-of-last-resort provisions is an important omission from economic and monetary union plans
Central Bank of Iceland chief warns of foreign exchange intervention risks
Már Guðmundsson discusses problems posed by free-floating exchange rates; says central bank actions to lean against capital flows may fragment financial system
Iceland minutes shows dissent from MPC member
Central Bank of Iceland Monetary Policy Committee minutes says one dissenter voted to raise rates by 25 basis points amid growing inflationary pressures