Banks
Spanish banks’ reliance on ECB hits record levels
Data published by Spain’s central bank shows the country’s banks exhibiting an increasing level of dependence on the eurosystem, officials dismiss talk of bailout
Financial Stability Review – ECB
European Central Bank says bond purchase programme cut tail and contagion risk but eurozone governments have a sizable task ahead of them
German rumours of French pact with ECB display tensions
Coverage of German magazine article alleging European Central Bank's bond purchase programme was aimed at helping the French indicative of fertile breeding ground for conspiracy theories
Missed mortgage payments spike in Ireland
Thirteen percent of mortgage payments overdue by more than 90 days; chief regulator Matthew Elderfield says there is no simple solution to the problem
Brussels backs bank tax to fund new resolution network
European Commission calls for a network of resolution funds to bear cost of winding down firms; cost covered through levy on lenders
Iceland seals deal to buy back Luxembourg-based króna bonds
Icelandic central bank agrees to buy nearly all outstanding bonds pledged by Landsbanki's Luxembourg subsidiary to secure funds from Luxembourg central bank
Volcker dismisses prop trading criticism
Former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker sweeps aside concerns that banks might not be able to differentiate between trading on their own books and on clients' behalf
Iceland's top regulator: evidence shows failed banks broke the law
Director-general of Iceland's financial regulator says evidence exists that some banks were involved in fraudulent activities including insider trading and propping up shares, ex-Kaupþing chief arrested on charges
Taiwan to scrutinise lending on hot money fears: reports
Official from Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reportedly says lenders’ foreign currency loans will be inspected for signs of speculation on currency
Cross-border lending extends slump: BIS
Bank for International Settlements says international lending fell by $385 billion in last three months of 2009, figures reveal fifth consecutive quarterly drop
IMF: local currency lending cushioned crisis blow
IMF study shows increased domestic currency lending led to relatively strong access to credit in American countries following credit crunch
IMF: Lat Am banks a match for foreign rivals
IMF paper indicates foreign banks are no more efficient than domestic ones
Fed’s Duke warns community banks are under threat
Governor Elizabeth Duke highlights some of the dangers posed by troubled real estate markets on community banks
Philly Fed: banking sector returns to profit
Report for fourth quarter notes bank failures also dropped
Fed must keep regulatory oversight: Bernanke
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, criticises plans to strip the Fed of its regulatory powers
ECB’s Stark: global economy is heading for lost decade
Jürgen Stark says failure to learn from the crisis would result in anaemic global growth for the next ten years
Caribbean learns from crisis: T&T’s Williams
Ewart Williams discusses the need for greater cooperation between central banks in the region in reducing the risk of financial crises
Banks’ profits plunged 40%: Greece deputy
Bank of Greece deputy governor Eleni Dendrinou-Louri says profits fell more than 40%, accompanied by a disconcerting rise in trading income
Bank of Uganda – Financial Stability Report
Ugandan central bank publishes inaugural report detailing the health of the financial sector and documenting policy moves taken to combat the crisis
Libya opens doors to foreign banks
Libyan central bank welcomes overseas institutions interested in setting up a subsidiary, says ongoing reforms and strong economic performance offer great prospects for banks
Investors confident in Ireland’s budget cuts: Honohan
Irish central bank governor Patrick Honohan says the proof of investor confidence in the country’s plans for fiscal consolidation is in the interest rates on government paper
Community banks remain crucial for US economy
Chicago Federal Reserve summarises its conference on the impact of the financial crisis on community banks
Fed’s Kohn: don’t underestimate interest-rate risk
Federal Reserve’s Don Kohn says it is crucial interest-rate risk does not undermine the safety and soundness of the most important lenders
Iceland’s Gudmundsson: EU legislation guilty
Central Bank of Iceland’s Már Gudmundsson says the risks in cross-border banking were underestimated