Opinion/Regulation
Oslo's lesson in restoring confidence
The lessons from Norway's response to the crisis in its banking system in the early 1990s have been under underappreciated.
Bank rescue - or protection racket?
Will 19 September 2008 go down in history as a day when wise and courageous politicians took the steps necessary to rescue the global banking system, or as the last throw of the dice? Maybe neither of these - maybe it will be remembered just as another…
Case for covert special liquidity support opaque
Michael Foot, a former executive director for supervision at the Bank of England, weighs up the pros and cons of allowing the Bank of England to lend in secret.
How to put the City into financial stability
Michael Foot, a former executive director responsible for supervision at the Bank of England, suggests ways to limit potential conflicts of interest in appointing City of London bankers to the new Financial Stability Committee at the Bank.
The role of central banks in financial stability
At a time when many governments and central banks are struggling to distil the key lessons of the crisis, one of the main finding is that the central bank needs the appropriate powers if it is to assume responsibility for systemic financial stability.
Regulators can't ensure clarity, only encourage it
In the wake of the credit crisis, central bankers and other financial regulators should use their clout to back the standardisation of financial instruments rather than trying to legislate for transparency, says Claire Jones, the editor of Central Bank…
CBs must note credit crunch effect of Basel II
The procyclical effects of Basel II could increase the likelihood of credit crunches in downturns. Patricia Jackson, the head of the Prudential Advisory team at Ernst & Young and a former member of the Basel Committee, believes it is important for…
Failed bank rescue plan will impact on Basel II
This article from Chase Cooper, published Monday 30 April, asks whether the killing off of the Ecofin plan for rescuing failed banks will have implications for Basel II.
Regulators must be watched on bank bids
According to this article published by the Financial Times on Friday 27 April, the powers of financial supervisors should be checked on bank bids or they are likely to impose obstacles to such deals.
Dutch intervention is a central banking mistake
According to this article published Thursday 19 April by The Telegraph, it is rather odd for the Dutch central bank to release a statement on the ABN Amro break-up bid.
Russia's central bank faces reform calls
According to this article published by The Times on Wednesday 4 April, the Russian finance ministry has met senior figures from the banking sector recently to discuss reforming the Bank of Russia.
Supervisors must be professionals
According to this article by Jean Lemierre, published by The Banker, whether responsibility for banking supervision in the EU lies with national central banks or with separate agencies, it must be able to stand up to pressure.
Qatar considers single financial regulator
According to a recent article published by the Gulf Times, 'Doha mulls UK-style single regulator', Qatar is considering a single financial regulator along the lines of the UK as part of its efforts to form an umbrella organisation.
Washington favors vigilance over hedge-fund rules
This article from The Associated Press, published Friday 23 February, looks at comments from officials that increased vigilance, not new rules, is the best way to handle risks in the hedge-fund industry.
Central banks face rising pressure from politician
According to this article published on the International Herald Tribune's website on Monday 19 February, political pressure is intensifying on central banks.
Cyprus cb governor's comments
According to an article the Cyprus Mail published this week, recent comments by the governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus are unprofessional and undermine the credibility of the institution.
Kozlov's murder - the real story
Financing hundreds of thousands of illegal under-the-table deals requires huge sums of money. Every month, in Russia mountains of "black cash", are exchanged illegally behind the scenes. As long as this parallel system of financial settlement exists,…
How independent should a central bank be?
According to this article by William Keegan at The Observer, published Tuesday 21 November, as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown wouldn't dare to tamper seriously with the system at the Bank of England for which he has received so much praise.
Keeping faith in CBK's supervisory obligation
According to this article published Tuesday 7 November by the Kenya Times, a logical move by the Central Bank of Kenya to shut down the country's twenty or so banks affected by bad debts would have had dire implications for the economy.
CBB brings central banking authority role to fore
According to this article from Arab News, published Sunday 22 October, the establishment of the new Central Bank of Bahrain highlights the issue of the role of a central banking authority in an economy and financial market.
Hedge funds can't escape the regulatory spotlight
According to this article from Reuters, published Thursday 19 October, hedge funds are facing calls for greater regulation from policymakers who are alarmed at potential systemic risks to global markets.
Can we bank on Poland to look back - or forward?
According to this article published by The Times on Friday 13 October, Poland may be about to turn its back on a modern economy, with political interference at the central bank.
The way to prevent American regulatory creep
This article published by the Financial Times on Thursday 12 October says that the United States may have taken a backward step in financial regulation.
New headquarters for Europe's newest central bank
According to this article from The Tiraspol Times, published Monday 9 October, with new headquarters the monetary authority of Pridnestrovie, the Trans-Dniester Republican Bank, has room to grow as the new country seeks international recognition.