Europe
Lifetime achievement award: Otmar Issing
The architect of the euro’s monetary operating framework is still playing an important role in shaping the debate on monetary policy
Specialised lending initiative: BNP Paribas
A new ‘global’ setup helped secure US dollar-denominated assets from a Eurosystem central bank
Collateral management services: National Bank of Georgia/Montran
The duo developed Georgia’s fully automated new collateral framework
Global markets award: HSBC
The UK-headquartered bank is a leader in green finance and helped its clients navigate the low-rate environment over the past year
ECB officials lay out positions on future inflation target
Weidmann and de Cos set priorities as strategy review focuses on inflation measurement and target
Eurozone banks increase illiquid assets after solvency shocks – DNB paper
Shift in asset holdings could create asset price distortions after banking crises, researchers say
Governor of the year: Mark Carney
Carney has played a vital role in managing Brexit risks while driving efforts towards climate, payments and dollar funding reform
Asset manager of the year: Amundi Asset Management
The French asset manager helped reserve managers meet ESG criteria while also boosting central bank assets under management
ESRB models long-lasting EU recession for stress tests
Tougher adverse scenario adopted because EU is “at an advanced stage of the financial cycle”
Watch out for Brexit cliff edge 2.0, experts warn
Measures to mitigate a sharp rupture for financial services could be less likely at end-2020
Central Banking Awards 2020: first winners announced
Prizes include central bank of the year, risk manager, payments and FMI, and treasury systems
Treasury systems initiative: Calypso Technology
The tech company secured important breakthroughs including with its Maps treasury operations system
Payments and market infrastructure development: European Central Bank
The ECB has created a framework to help payments and market infrastructure firms bolster cyber defence that is being disseminated on a global scale
ECB reallocates subscribed capital after Brexit
Eurozone central banks will increase their total paid-up capital by €1.2 billion over the next two years
ECB reveals large banks’ individual capital requirements
Enria warns banks to improve profitability, saying “challenging environment” will not change soon
ECB’s Mersch warns of negative side-effects of ultra-loose policies
Policies may be contributing to risk-taking, high asset-price inflation and inequality, board member says
Bad banks work, but not in isolation – BIS paper
Researchers study what factors lead to successful “asset segregation” schemes
European parliament committee votes against Gerry Cross for EBA post
Committee members expressed concern over nominee’s previous work for lobbying organisation
Lagarde promises wide-ranging review as ECB holds rates
ECB’s monetary policy review will look at green finance and engagement with citizens – Lagarde
EU council may cut margin haircuts for CCP resolution
Proposals would close avenues for regulators to dip into non-defaulting members’ initial margin
Should the ECB increase the transparency of governing council meetings?
Observers and former officials weigh pros and cons of greater disclosure for policy efficacy and independence
Book notes: The long journey of central bank communication, by Otmar Issing
This book is a “masterly exposition on central bank communication, its evolution and continuing challenges”, writes Anand Sinha
European companies’ credit demand shrinks despite ECB stimulus
In Q4 2019, credit demand from non-financial corporations declined for first time in six years
ECB calls for changes to German draft CCP recovery law
Law should be rewritten to provide more transparency on Bafin’s procedures and approach, ECB says