Banks
Central Bank of Ireland to form analytical teams to improve ‘data architecture’
Governor Philip Lane encourages regulators to “embrace” technological advances, while stressing the balance between innovation and consumer protection
Research explores impact of Italian product market reforms on productivity
Authors find positive association between firm performance and deregulation of sector; correlation stronger in areas with 'more efficient’ public services
Flug sets out ‘change in philosophy’ on new banks
Bank of Israel governor sets out measures adopted by banking supervision department to make it easier to start a bank from scratch; part of broader competition drive in the country
Negative rates fail to dent Danish bank profitability
National Bank of Denmark concerned banks may be pursuing return targets too aggressively, as profits hit highest level since 2008 crisis; banks reshaping business models to avoid low-rate impact
RBI approves new method for restructuring stressed loans
Indian banks will be able to split some of their largest stressed loans in two; rules introduced as RBI looks to help banks achieve “clean and fully provisioned bank balance sheets” by March 2017
PBoC deputy Tao says China’s financial system is failing SMEs
China's financial system needs to improve if it is to support crucial supply-side reforms via a particular focus on SME funding; financial institutions must be allowed to fail, says PBoC deputy
China makes strong start on economic transition
The past year has been one of progress for China’s structural reform plans. Zhang Hongli, IFF Academic Committee member and vice-president of ICBC, examines the forward momentum
Deepening reform of the financial system
Governor of the People’s Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan examines the Central Committee’s proposals set out in the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan of national economic and social development
Promoting China’s financial liberalisation agenda
Increased risks are an inevitable upshot of greater innovation and disruption in the banking sector, but they can be mitigated, writes Zhang Liqing of the Central University of Finance and Economics
Swiss regulator forms resolution division
Regulator hopes to focus its efforts by uniting disparate teams in a new division, with current enforcement chief David Wyss becoming head of resolution
LCH first clearing house to sign up to ISO 20022 harmonisation charter
Charter produced by Swift sets out measures for harmonising the implementation of ISO 20022; LCH.Clearnet Group becomes the first CCP to sign up
Czech National Bank to launch second supervision department
Consumer protection and ‘retail distribution’ supervision to be moved under a new department dedicated to supervision, the second of its kind; Ladislav Kročák to become executive director
Ukraine donates $49,000 of medical equipment to Ministry of Defence
Equipment goes to five military hospitals in the provinces; national bank announces voluntary liquidation of two commercial banks
Belize governor worried about threat posed by ‘de-risking’
Regulators not fully taking note of uncertainty around regulation implementation; Caribbean region growth and financial stability “threatened” by pullback of global banks, governor says
Structural funding ratios could have helped detect failing banks – BoE working paper
Bank of England working paper reveals structural funding ratios could have helped detect which banks were likely to fail in the 2008 crisis; wholesale funding structures most prone to failure
Iran’s Seif details banking sector clean-up operation
Iranian central bank is working to improve the transmission of its monetary policy, stabilise the banking system and bring itself in line with international standards, governor says
Bank of Thailand eases loan restrictions for investment in GMS
Bank of Thailand aims to liberalise banking activities by broadening cross-border banking networks, governor says; central bank relaxing regulations as part of effort
Malaysian governor warns of banks ‘falling short’ on basic services
Muhammad bin Ibrahim voices concerns about communications from some frontline staff; instructs banks to remove “prohibitive conditions” attached to basic accounts
Kenyan central bank sets out Imperial Bank progress
Several court cases to be heard in coming weeks regarding central bank’s handling of receivership; one matter sees two depositors seeking 1 billion shillings
HKMA prepares cyber security ‘fortification’
Monetary authority seeks to build a framework for assessing cyber risks as well as providing training and building infrastructure for sharing “threat intelligence”
Research considers use of blockchain in securities settlement
Paper published by SWIFT Institute says full application of technology could lead to, and would require, change in existing business processes in the industry
Regulators can influence but not prescribe culture, Bailey says in last speech at PRA
Incoming FCA chief warns bank regulators cannot write a rule to “settle” culture, but cites the senior managers regime as an example of influence
World Bank report sees risks if Mozambique continues to raise rates
Report praises efforts of central bank so far but says further tightening could harm certain sectors of the economy; exchange rate volatility having adverse effects on debt
IMF staff call for new macro-prudential tools in Denmark
Danish authorities told to consider placing limits on debt to income ratios; macro-prudential measures suggested by IMF staff to complement existing regulation