China
China to merge regulators and expand central bank’s role
The PBoC will gain key powers from the regulatory commissions and report to the key committee
PBoC set for new governor
President Xi Jinping’s adviser Liu He widely expected to be named next PBoC governor
Fed issues AML enforcement order on China’s largest bank
Bank must submit to third-party review of “high risk” transactions and customers, Fed says
Zhou says China is ready for bolder reform
Zhou Xiaochuan comments on further progress with liberalisation and financial market reforms in what is likely to be his last press conference as PBoC governor
Book notes: How global currencies work, by Barry Eichengreen, Arnaud Mehl and Livia Chiţu
A comprehensive introduction to the history of global reserve currencies, with analysis of how advances in technology and the structure of trade have reshaped the landscape
The winners of the 2018 Central Banking Awards
Bank of Canada wins Central Bank of the Year, Lesetja Kganyago picks up Governor of the Year and Perng Fai-nan receives Lifetime Achievement Award; 16 more awards unveiled
A changing of the guard
Risks emerge amid leadership changes at the US Federal Reserve Board and the People’s Bank of China
China feels tighter financial conditions ahead of new year
Record-breaking bank loans contrast with slower broad credit growth, amid shift away from shadow banking
China’s shadow banking market dominated by banks
BIS researchers map the Chinese shadow banking system and its evolution over time, finding it contrasts with the market-based shadow banking of the US
Renminbi struggles to gain prominence on global stage – Swift
Chinese currency usage only accounted for 1.61% of domestic and cross-border payments in December 2017; digitisation may be the key to currency’s success
Risks to China’s financial sector are growing, ECB paper says
Banks are exposed to rapidly growing shadow banking sector, researchers say
Finnish paper examines 19th century Chinese lending
Loans to officials show how banks can enforce repayment despite hostile legal environment
China tightens scrutiny of outbound investments
Regulators are looking to restrict and control outbound investments
People: US Senate confirms Powell as new Fed chair
PBoC’s Zhou Xiaochuan not included in key advisory body; Buhari set to appoint new deputy governor at CBN
Davos experts weigh risks of future crisis
High debt levels, a rise in real interest rates and China are on the agenda for the panellists, who believe another financial crisis is inevitable
People: PBoC deputy appointed vice-mayor of Beijing
First woman nominated as deputy governor at the Bank of Mexico; Kganyago bags IMF job; Sarb gets new MPC member
Lifetime achievement award: Perng Fai-nan
Pre-emptive financial reforms combined with flexible monetary and forex policies have enabled Taiwan’s veteran governor to provide economic stability, even during turbulent times
Asian central banks crack down on cryptocurrency
Central banks in China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore all taking action as cryptocurrency prices slump
PBoC releases liquidity ahead of new year celebrations
RRR cut is expected to release liquidity to counter the seasonal tightening around Chinese new year
Bundesbank to begin investing in renminbi
Executive board member says the bank is considering investing in other foreign currencies
PBoC tightens bond trading rules, relaxes renminbi controls
China’s financial regulators continue their efforts to deleverage the economy and promote renminbi internationalisation
‘Decisive’ action needed to deflate China’s credit boom – IMF paper
Lack of reliance on foreign financing, low government debt, and state control help to mitigate effects of credit boom, but buffers should not be relied upon in the long run
Macao turns to facial recognition to fight money laundering
Chinese tourists now have to verify their identities in order to withdraw cash at most ATMs in the casino hub
PBoC ramps up regulations for QR code payments
Transactions made by QR code capped and reserve requirements increased, as PBoC seeks to crack down on payment risks