Euro
Paper finds flimsy productivity base for banks in Spain
A Bank of Spain working paper says two-thirds of pre-crisis banking productivity growth was attributable to the expansion of mortgage lending, a reliance on short-term finance and leverage
Danish governor laments lack of euro progress
Nils Bernstein says Europe will ‘muddle through’ the crisis, but is concerned that government’s grand promises are yet to deliver a practical solution
Greek mythology character to adorn new euro notes
New ‘Europa’ series of bank notes unveiled by ECB with five-euro note bearing the image of a Greek mythological princess first to be introduced in May 2013
Ballooning balance sheet yields further ‘profit’ for SNB
Swiss National Bank’s profits show continued growth in third quarter with the largest contribution from foreign exchange holdings; balance sheet has increased 45% during the year
Polish paper says euro would have destabilised economy during crisis
National Bank of Poland research examines how adopting the euro would have changed the impact of the financial crisis; fixed exchange rate would have exposed economy to greater shocks
Central bankers highlight merits of fixed exchange rate regimes
Bosnian and Barbadian governors discuss the importance of a fixed exchange rate for small and open economies
Finland paper reviews major currency blocs
Bank of Finland study appraising the euro and the US dollar currency blocs says, in equilibrium, the euro bloc would be larger than at present
ECB research finds European retail payment costs about 1% of GDP
Study measures costs of retail payments across a sample of European countries; finds costs of retail payments account for a significant proportion of GDP
IMF paper considers monetary union risks
Research published by the IMF compares the trading benefits and stability costs of entering a monetary union; highlights flaws in Emu set-up
Cyprus governor urges fast implementation of SSM
Panicos Demetriades says the adoption of the single supervisory mechanism in Europe is a ‘matter of urgency’; says banking union is particularly important for Cyprus
SNB bond-buying ‘exacerbating’ euro fragmentation – S&P
Rating agency says Swiss National Bank activity is deepening divergent market conditions for euro sovereign issuance
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Central bankers gamble for high stakes
The world’s major central banks have made high-stakes bets in a bid to stabilise economies. But their efforts may do little to promote confidence in the longer-term future of monetary management
SNB maintains minimum exchange rate
The Swiss National Bank announces an unchanged minimum exchange rate; Swiss franc has not depreciated as expected
ECB’s Constâncio stresses need for banking union
ECB vice-president says banking union will help tackle increasing divide of markets along national borders; could guide intervention in market risk
Swiss franc expected to retrace its fall as ECB news sinks in
The euro rallied against the Swiss franc for the first time in six months after yesterday’s announcement of new measures from the ECB, but FX strategists expect it to fall back towards 1.20
Italian paper studies impact of euro break-up fears
Bank of Italy working paper investigates interest rate movements away from macroeconomic fundamentals; suggests euro break-up fears may be an influence
UK banks reveal size of eurozone funding gaps
Banks reduce cross-border funding of peripheral eurozone assets in an attempt to mitigate redenomination risk - but funding gap still tops £10 billion for Spain
Draghi pulls out of Jackson Hole speech
President of the ECB stays in Europe on account of his “heavy workload”; statement comes shortly before plans for single banking supervision mechanism announced for eurozone
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Restoring trust in finance
The financial crisis and numerous scandals have shattered confidence in banks and financial markets. What can central bankers do to restore trust in the financial system?
HKMA re-appoints Standard Chartered as euro settlement institution
Standard Chartered Bank given a third five-year contract to run the euro real-time gross settlement system in Hong Kong; commended for operating the system “smoothly and effectively” since 2003
SNB reveals scale of latest foreign exchange purchases
Swiss National Bank posts large increase in foreign exchange holdings from June to July; purchases represent efforts by central bank to prevent safe-haven flows into country
Draghi says ECB ready to make further bond purchases
ECB president says central bank is prepared to intervene in sovereign bond markets to prop up ailing eurozone economies; ECB holds rates, as does Bank of England
Swiss National Bank posts profit in first half of year
Latest figures show central bank made a profit in first half of the year; majority of gains come from holdings of foreign currency purchased to maintain minimum exchange rate against euro
Ex-UK MPC members discuss future of eurozone
Panellists at event in London say euro will survive but with a smaller group of countries; argue UK is in dangerous position to respond to eurozone collapse