Central Banking
Fed expands network of swaps to emerging markets
Emerging markets will now have direct access to a dollar backstop, but it is still limited
ECB launches €750bn emergency purchase programme
Governing council says new tool will remain active until Covid-19 crisis is over, stands ready to increase it
Fiscal effects may take several weeks to pass through – research
Economist examines lag time for Obama’s Great Recession-era fiscal package
Bailey says BoE ‘will do what it takes’
BoE governor echoes Draghi after sterling plunges despite creation of new lending facility
Riksbank resumes QE by buying government debt
Swedish central bank buys $245 million in sovereign debt and will buy covered bonds on March 25
Norges Bank sharply increases foreign exchange sales
Central bank converts oil revenues into krone to finance government’s coronavirus response
RBNZ delays new capital rules
Central bank defers start date until 2021 and slows down other regulatory reviews
Banks rush to tap new dollar liquidity facilities
IIF warns of major capital flight from emerging markets as demand for Fed-backed repos surges
Cleveland Fed president criticises scale of rate cut
FOMC should have saved some rate cuts for US economic recovery, Loretta Mester says
Fed re-launches Primary Dealer Credit Facility in latest crisis move
New PDCF is more easily accessible than similar measure used in 2008 crisis
Fed moves to ease commercial paper strains
Commercial paper market under “considerable strain” due to coronavirus-related uncertainty, Fed says
Nigerian central bank announces emergency measures
CBN will fund healthcare expansion and guarantee loans, and says currency will not be devalued
Riksbank backs fiscal stimulus with massive QE programme
Swedish central bank increases loans to banks, cuts overnight lending rate to 0.2%
Bank of Canada steps up Covid-19 response
Bank widens eligible repo collateral, tweaks monetary framework and unveils mortgage market measure
Central banks grapple with dollar funding crunch
Indicators of stress hit highest levels since global crisis; dollar backstops may soon be tested
Authorities struggle to find staff with fintech skills – William Coen
Regulators should concentrate fintech firms’ risk and governance approaches - former BCBS secretary
Bank of Mauritius launches Covid-19 response package
Bank unveils five measures designed to bring relief for businesses and keep credit flowing
Uruguay appoints interim central bank president
Labat takes over from Graña following retirement announcement
Denmark renews contract with Mint of Finland
Mint will continue to produce Danish coins until 2025
The Fed can still do more – Donald Kohn
The Fed still has several tools left if economic conditions worsen, Kohn argues in blog
The Tokyo Olympics: downside risks prevail
The Bank of Japan’s latest stimulus effort seems to be weak, and comes at a time when the benefits of hosting the Tokyo Olympics may be overstated – even if the games still take place
Croatian central bank starts bond-buying programme
HNB also holds repo auction and may relax banks’ capital buffers in response to coronavirus
Asian central banks rush to roll out easing measures
Japan expands asset purchases; Korea cuts rates to record low; China extends lending and HKMA cuts capital buffer
Central banks activate contingency plans amid Covid-19 pandemic
Rotating and remote team working aims to reduce contagion risk