Articles by Central Banking Newsdesk
Riksbank’s new approach to nowcasting reviewed
Article in Economic Review evaluates the forecasting performance of a dynamic factor model adopted by Sweden's central bank, finding it a useful addition to its suite of tools
Olsen: Norway needs lower labour costs
Norges Bank governor Øystein Olsen argues labour costs must be brought into line with those of Norway’s trading partners to support a rebalancing of the economy away from oil
BoE and ECB strike deal on CCP cooperation
Central banks agree to information exchange and provision of cross-border liquidity in a crisis as the UK government drops two outstanding cases against the ECB
Yellen sees potential benefits in ‘tight’ labour market
Fed chair Janet Yellen says allowing unemployment to fall below its longer-run level for a short time could help return inflation to target quicker and boost productivity
SNB’s Zurbrügg: negative rates having ‘desired effect’
Governing board member says negative interest rates are influencing the money and capital markets as intended, noting the exchange rate has also started to normalise since the January decision
BoE stress tests to gauge deflation impact
Stress-test scenario revamped for 2015 to take account of the effects of falling prices on the banking system, while adding a leverage ratio threshold and greater focus on global risks
Counterfeiting rate ‘extremely low’ for Canadian polymer notes
Bank of Canada’s polymer series now comprises 75% of the banknotes in circulation, and is subject to a counterfeiting rate of just 0.56 parts per million
Central Bank of Iceland hails successful year
Annual report for 2014 shows inflation fell, central bank introduced prudential measures in preparation for capital account liberalisation, and profits returned to positive figures
Haldane studies finance through lens of ‘complexity theory’
BoE chief economist sets out thesis in favour of viewing finance as a layered ‘system of systems’, with implications for the way risks are identified and managed
Risks in commercial property have fallen, RBNZ research finds
Article in latest RBNZ bulletin finds less leverage is being used to fund new purchases and developments, while market is showing signs of a ‘robust’ recovery
South African MPC member named deputy governor
Adviser to governor and MPC member Kuben Naidoo will assume post on April 1; central bank kept benchmark rate unchanged yesterday despite ‘deterioration’ in inflation outlook
Fischer sets sights on shadow banks
Fed vice-chair says US regulators must do more to regulate non-banks, including improvements to wholesale funding, better data and regulation that evolves at the same pace as the industry
UK’s Tyrie says ‘wider problems’ need fixing at FCA
Damning report by UK’s Treasury Committee says financial watchdog must do more to correct failures brought to light during a communications debacle in March 2014
FSB adds new emerging market members
Five new institutions join Financial Stability Board as part of efforts to improve emerging market representation; Glenn Stevens takes over as standing committee chair from Agustín Carstens
NY Fed wants ‘enhanced communication’ around cyber threats
Sarah Dahlgren says the New York Fed is interested in learning from breaches in security elsewhere and using the intelligence to ‘get ahead of the game’
Poloz: volatility not a reflection of central bank credibility
Canadian governor – greater volatility is a ‘natural reaction’ to central banks gearing up to normalise monetary policy; highlights cost of using forward guidance
SNB plans renminbi purchases in 2015
Central bank plans to add renminbi bonds to reserves after signing swap agreement with the People’s Bank of China in 2014; annual report reveals return of 8% across currency reserves
Greek governor paints bleak picture of life without the euro
Yannis Stournaras insists leaving the eurozone is ‘not an option’ for Greece, as it would impose ‘huge costs’ on the financial system and real economy alike
BIS paper finds macro-prudential impact varies during cycle
Working paper finds evidence tightening policy is more effective than loosening it, and has a greater impact when credit has been expanding quickly
BoE calls for investigation into market liquidity risks
Financial policy committee concerned that investors assume liquidity will be available when they need it, despite recent fragility; BIS research highlights paradox in liquidity buffers
Prasarn pledges loose monetary policy until structural shift bears fruit
Governor urges infrastructure push to catapult Thailand out of middle-income trap; monetary policy to 'remain accommodative' until changes become effective
BIS paper weighs effectiveness of FX intervention strategies
Intervention to reduce volatility or to lean against exchange rate movements each come with distinct costs and benefits, working paper finds
UK payments regulator set for launch
PSR outlines its approach ready for start of regulation on April 1, including plans to work more closely with the industry, increase transparency and boost competition
Investigation unearths flaws in BoE’s RTGS system
Combination of elderly and complex RTGS system, inadequate testing and poor contingency planning led to nine-hour outage last October; BoE adopting review’s recommendations in full