Central Banking
Draghi accepts task of leading next Italian government
Former ECB president must first secure enough parliamentary support to become prime minister
One-size-fits-all regulation won’t meet fintech challenge – FSI paper
Banks and big tech require specific approaches to ensure system stability, says Fernando Restoy
IMF grants Tonga $10 million emergency loan
Fund’s Article IV report expresses concern about banking sector; predicts GDP contraction
National statistical agencies must measure informal economy – IMF
Fund outlines new framework for informal economy consistent with GDP methodology
Final NSFR rule unlocks subsidiary funding for US banks
Technical clarification allows subsidiary capital to be assigned as funding for consolidated group
House price distortions slow European growth – Estonian paper
Misaligned prices amplify business cycles in short run but damage growth over long run – researchers
Reserve Bank of Australia launches A$100bn in new QE
Australian central bank surprises analysts with easing measure, despite more hopeful macroeconomic forecast
Netherlands Bank launches new website
Central bank structures new site around six main themes
Monetary unions might benefit from taxing external debt – DNB paper
Policy would reduce adverse effects of shocks to risk premia on sovereign debt, researchers find
Lebanese governor accused of neglect of duty by judge
Governor may be questioned in Switzerland over alleged money laundering
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank reappoints governor to second term
Region’s currency peg has remained stable despite Covid-19 turbulence
FCA urges UK banks to postpone branch closures
Closures during pandemic could have “significant consequences” for consumers, FCA warns
Podcast: Fintech likely to gain greater foothold in Kazakhstan post-pandemic
Covid-19 has forced incumbents to innovate, allowing fintech firms to increase presence in the market
Central clearing proved resilient in ‘dash for cash’ – BoE’s Segal-Knowles
Challenge now is to “sustain and strengthen” the system, says executive director
EU’s 2021 stress test includes ‘very severe’ adverse scenario
Adverse scenario foresees unemployment rising sharply and massive asset shock
More capital could increase lending during pandemic – paper
Philadelphia Fed research finds capital injections and lower requirements would both increase lending
Central Bank of the UAE prepares to gain insurance powers
Insurance Authority is being merged into CBUAE as part of bid to become “top 10” central bank
IMF encourages Bahamas central bank to launch asset registry
Recent initiatives to manage credit have been hampered by bottlenecks, IMF report says
Colombian central bank holds rates under new governor
Interest rates remain at 1.75%, a record low; board split in a 5–2 vote
Syrian central bank issues new banknote
New 5,000 lira note is issued as expert estimates that war-torn country’s inflation has reached 179%
RBNZ appoints KPMG to report on data breach
Report due by end of March and will be considered with Deloitte review of accidental leak
Bank of Finland to focus on sustainable growth
Central bank also aims to create “world’s best” financial literacy programme
Bank of Mozambique hikes policy rate by 300 basis points
MPC cites Covid-19, conflict and natural disasters as it orders increase
Riksbank extends swap agreement with Fed
$60 billion line set up in response to Covid-19 extended until end of September 2021