Banks
Bulgarian governor praises success of macro-prudential policy
Ivan Iskrov describes Bulgarian experience of macro-prudential policy; says Bulgarian National Bank was ahead of curve in regulating financial system
IMF paper assesses drivers of banking equity returns
Working paper studies factors behind movements in bank equity prices; finds that despite general 'dismal' performance, equities of better capitalised and less leveraged banks perform best
Bank of Canada reports payment system developments
Report reviews Bank of Canada’s activities in promoting clearing and settlement systems; says operations support 'stability and efficiency' of financial system
Mexican deputy governor weighs challenges facing economy
Bank of Mexico’s Manuel Sánchez examines effect of capital inflows and eurozone problems on Mexican economy; says growth expected to continue at a moderate rate
Bank of Mauritius to investigate fair banking practices
Bank of Mauritius promises to investigate terms and conditions of contracts consumers sign, including fees, commission and charges levied by banks; following rise in complaints
Diamond clarifies note on conversation with BoE deputy
Former chief executive of Barclays explains note written after conversation with Paul Tucker; gives evidence on same day Tucker makes public request for hearing with Treasury Select Committee
Second wave of CSDs sign T2S framework agreement
A total of 15 central securities depositories sign T2S framework agreement in second wave; system set to go live in June 2015
Noyer sets out eurozone financial union necessities
Governor of the Banque de France identifies three main powers needed to ensure eurozone financial union; “massive firepower” needed by bank emergency fund
Hungary launches same-day credit transfer system
Electronically submitted domestic transfers now reach destination within a maximum of four hours; improvement on previous system when payments took one business day
Bank of Spain names new director-general
Francisco Javier Priego becomes director-general; remains head of the central bank’s legal department
Ireland’s Honohan highlights advantages of ‘more Europe’
Patrick Honohan discusses challenges of restoring market confidence in the eurozone; says Ireland has ‘quite a lot to gain’ from further integration with Europe
Peru central bank paper models interbank lending
Working paper develops New Keynesian model including an interbank lending market to analyse dual effect of reserve requirements and interest rates
US authorities explain living will review process
Largest banking groups must hand in resolution plans by July 2; preliminary reviews will be completed within 60 days say FDIC and Fed
New microfinance scheme launched in Hong Kong
Microfinance scheme to be run by Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation in collaboration with banks and non-government organisations; follows joint study with Hong Kong Monetary Authority last year
King calls for overhaul of UK banking system
Governor of the Bank of England says cultures of investment and retail banking operations do not mix; calls on government to legislate on all of Independent Commission on Banking’s recommendations
Basel Committee unveils framework for monitoring D-Sibs
Consultative document sets out loss-absorbency guidelines for domestic systemically important banks; principles allow greater flexibility than rules for global institutions
Euro group agrees on single banking supervisory mechanism
Umbrella supervision body 'run by ECB' to be established; exhausted EC president refuses to discuss details of plan to directly recapitalise European banks
‘Branchless’ banking increasing in Pakistan
So-called 'branchless banking' transactions grew 23% between January and March this year; accounts linked to mobile phones reached over 1 million during the period
Sweden joins opposition to European banking union
Swedish government opposes European banking union proposals; Czech National Bank also expresses concerns
Reserve Bank of New Zealand examines bank funding
Quarterly bulletin article considers relationship between official cash rate and cost of bank funding; finds funding costs relative to the OCR changed following financial crisis
Libor manipulation lawsuits could cost banks ‘tens of billions’
Barclays' $450m settlement gives lawyers smoking gun evidence of attempts to tamper with benchmark rates
IMF paper examines crisis indicators
Working paper assesses the effectiveness of various indicators in predicting financial crises; finds that leverage is ineffective and instead use of poor quality collateral is “critical link”
Bank of Canada paper models repo market collapse
Working paper develops model of repo markets to explain causes of collapse; finds that central bank intervention can help prevent problems
Central Bank of Cyprus supports bailout request
Central bank recognises need for European help to recapitalise Cypriot banks; commits to supporting efforts to finalise the bailout