Regulation
Bank of Thailand, TRT at loggerheads on bank rules
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) insists that it will not lower the minimum average-weighted capital-adequacy ratio which financial institutions are required to maintain - currently 8.5 per cent of risk assets - even though the incoming government is calling…
FRBNY: Corporate governance call for papers
The New York Fed is soliciting papers for an October 2001 conference on corporate governance that it will cosponsor with the Journal of FinancialIntermediation.
Buba repeats it opposes single financial watchdog
The Bundesbank on Jan. 25 reiterated its opposition to Finance Ministry plans to strip it of its banking oversight functions and to bundle all financial system supervision in one federal institution. The central bank said in a statement it was not…
Thai banks surge on provision rules relaxation
Thai bank shares rose sharply in heavy volume on Jan. 25 on buying by local and foreign investors who decided a recent relaxation of rules over the accounting of loan loss provisions was good for the sector, analysts said. The Bank of Thailand earlier…
BoJ Gov dismissed worries over financial stability
Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami has downplayed concerns that the country's financial stability could be put at risk by falling stock prices. Speaking on Jan. 25 at the Upper House audit committee, the central bank chief said, "there is no need to be…
Yugoslavia to issue few licences to foreign banks
Yugoslavia's central bank saidon Jan. 25 it would issue only a few licenses to foreign bankswhile others would have to buy into existing ones, as part ofefforts to turn around the massively indebted sector."The National Bank of Yugoslavia will issue a…
M&A Bank attracts attention of Austrian regulator
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Austrian finance supervisory authority has decided to bring forward a routine inspection of M&A Bank, a Vienna-based institution specialising in managing the assets of wealthy private customers. M&A Bank has attracted…
Paramonova-CBR far from saying bank system is well
"The Central Bank of Russia is far from saying the national banking system is well", CBR First Deputy President, Tatyana Paramonova has said. As she spoke at a meeting of Russian and Israeli businessmen in Moscow on Jan. 24, 2000, Paramonova said that a…
Bank of Russia forms internet regulation division
In preparation for regulating banking operations on the Internet, the Bank of Russia has created a special division within its department for monitoring banks. Bankers have greeted this news enthusiastically, with the hope that the new division will…
IBRA - BII,BK Universial May need fresh capital
Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency Chairman Edwin Gerungan said two nationalized banks may need fresh funds before year-end to ensure their capital adequacy remains within international standards. Edwin said another alternative for PT Bank…
IMF concludes Article IV consultation with Panama
On Jan 22, 2001 the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Panama. Below is the Public Information Notice issued by the IMF. The IMF points out the slowing growth rate of Panana, but recognise…
Fed's liquidity date change efforts
The Fed's efforts to provide liquidity around the century date change likely had a stabilizing effect on the financing markets.
Italian bank group slams govt rule on mortgages
Italy's top bank association on Dec 29 criticised a government decision to curb interest payments on fixed rate loans as creating instability in the banking sector and consumer groups slammed it as unfair.
RBI outlines universal banking roadmap
The Reserve Bank of India has warned against any dilution of prudential and supervisory norms for banking business, while suggesting a consolidated approach towards supervision and regulation.
Putin says cbank needs to pick up pace of reform
President Vladimir Putin said Dec 29 Russia needs to reform its moribund banks, and he criticized the central bank for failing to develop the banking system. The International Monetary Fund and other foreign lenders have long urged Russia to overhaul its…
Swaziland introduce law against money laundering
Swazi finance minister John Carmichael is expected to table in parliament the long awaited criminal and money laundering bill that would empower prosecutors world-wide to extradite suspected criminals against Swazi laws to stand trial in Swaziland, the…
IMF has nothing against CBR, says Paramonova
The International Monetary Fund has no complaints about the actions of the Central Bank of Russia, Tatyana Paramonova, a first deputy chairman at the Central Bank, said.
Slovenia c.bank eases portfolio investment rules
The Bank of Slovenia said on Dec 22 it would from January 2001 ease restrictions for foreign portfolio investment, part of its programme to harmonise regulations with those of the European Union by the end of 2002.
Lithuanian market watchdogs sign supervision pact
Lithuania's central bank, the securitities comission and insurance watchdog signed on Dec 22 a cooperation deal aimed at cementing supervision of the country's financial sector.
Cameroon to go it alone with national bourse
Cameroon has announced the creation of a national stock exchange, just days after Central African leaders chose Libreville in Gabon rather than Cameroon's economic capital of Douala as the seat for a regional bourse.