Monetary Policy
Central Bank of Kenya cuts rates despite new credit legislation
Commercial banks to amend lending rates again following a cut in interest rates; bank launches 50th birthday initiatives including new website
Declining inflation reduces pass-through effects for emerging markets – BIS paper
Central banks should be less fearful of floating their exchange rates; emerging markets should take note exchange rate channel could be “less effective” in affecting inflation
BoJ targets inflation overshoot with revamped policy approach
Shift to “yield curve control” could give the central bank more room for manoeuvre on asset purchases, as it promises to keep easing until inflation exceeds the target
Savers must adjust their plans amid low rates – Poloz
Bank of Canada governor illustrates harsh reality for savers with rates so low, underlining the need for people to put aside more funds or work for longer than anticipated
Reserve requirements complement monetary policy in small open economies – paper
Paper examines the use of indirect and direct monetary policy instruments in three Caribbean economies; increases in the reserve ratio are successful in reducing private sector credit
Target2 balance surge not a sign of eurozone ‘stress’ – ECB’s Praet
European Central Bank’s chief economist says €400 billion increase in outstanding euro real-time gross settlement claims is largely due to ECB’s asset purchases, rather than eurozone weakness
BIS paper examines impact of money market deregulation and integration
Integration of money markets and ability of banks to raise funds using variety of substitutable instruments has implications for monetary policy, paper says; deregulation results in larger open market operations
Ukrainian central bank cuts rates and promises further banking reform
Personnel director becomes acting deputy governor in charge of banking supervision; Lagarde praises conduct of monetary policy but says reform must continue
BoE signals further rate cut despite stronger-than-expected data
Package of measures announced in August led to “greater than anticipated boost” to UK asset prices; despite data somewhat stronger than expected a further rate cut is likely, minutes say
Riksbank highlights complexity in choice of target
Report studies case for changing target to CPIF or HICP inflation, and reinstating target band, ahead of discussions over monetary framework reforms
FOMC members disagree over need for rate hike
Lael Brainard argues labour market suffers from slack and monetary policy is weak when dealing with weak demand; Dennis Lockhart confident of recovery, despite “frustrating” inflation data
Yellen ‘should be ashamed’ – Trump
Republican nominee for US presidency attacks Fed chair Yellen and says interest rates must be raised
Boston Fed’s Rosengren highlights risk of overheating
US economy looks “resilient”, despite some mixed signals from the data, says regional Fed president; advocates process of gradual rate hikes as the risk of an overheating economy grows
Azerbaijan central bank raises rates for fourth time this year as currency plummets
Falling oil and gas prices have major impact on Azerbaijan’s economy; IMF calls for major banking sector reforms
PBoC faces the ‘most challenging work of all central banks’ – HKU’s Xiao
The People’s Bank of China needs to meet short-term goals of exchange rate and price stability to achieve longer-term structural and financial reform, says Hong Kong University professor Xiao Geng
ECB paper finds ‘sizeable’ impact from QE
Authors find empirical evidence of various channels through which asset purchases affect the eurozone economy, before testing them in a general equilibrium model
IMF’s Singh urges central banks to beware of collateral impact of policy
Senior economist says asset purchase programmes have drained quality collateral from the system, damaging the economy’s “financial plumbing”
ECB delays decision on policy redesign
Mario Draghi says committees will investigate “smooth implementation” of asset purchases, but offers no new policies today; highlights signs of greater willingness for government action
Rates likely to stay on hold, says Chilean monetary policy report
Inflation expected to be in the target range by year-end, latest monetary policy report forecasts show; no need for new hikes if economic trends continue
Kganyago justifies Sarb’s response to ‘troubling mix’ of issues
Sarb governor says the public should be “satisfied” but not “happy” with the current economic outlook, given that monetary policy has only offset some of the problems causing high inflation
Brazilian policy-makers concerned about inflation outlook
Monetary policy committee left rates on hold, concerned with the results of various surveys which showed inflation above the target for 2017
Carney deflects criticism of Brexit response
MPs question BoE officials on whether broad package of monetary easing was an overreaction; Forbes explains four factors behind dissenting vote
Swedish inflation starting to look stronger, as Riksbank holds
Outlook is “fraught with uncertainty”, central bank says, though the domestic economy seems to be returning to more normal levels
Stevens highlights housing market improvement at final monetary policy meeting
Reserve Bank of Australia leaves rates on hold at Steven’s last monetary policy meeting; board assesses the current policy stance as appropriate to foster growth and achieve inflation target