Monetary Policy
German investments would generate ‘beneficial' regional spillovers, finds IMF paper
The expansionary effect of higher public investment in Germany ‘substantially strengthened' when supported by an accommodative monetary policy stance, according to working paper
Fed changes forward guidance
Janet Yellen says FOMC ‘can be patient' in normalising monetary policy, but says new language does not signal change in outlook; Fisher, Plosser and Kocherlakota dissent
Bank of South Sudan keen for exchange rate reform
IMF report finds authorities keen to create a single exchange rate, launch two-way fixed rate auctions and establish an interbank market for foreign exchange
Banque de France paper says asset purchases may struggle to anchor rates
Working paper suggests asset purchases could be a way to anchor interbank rates, but the policy faces a number of difficulties; absorbing excess liquidity another option
Optimal policy changes as financial inclusion rises, BIS paper finds
Working paper presents evidence that both output volatility and inflation volatility fall as financial inclusion rises, but monetary policy will optimally lean more towards controlling prices
ECB to publish unattributed ‘accounts’ of policy discussions
European Central Bank will publish ‘accounts’ four weeks after every meeting; they are designed to improve the general public’s understanding of the governing council’s thought process
Swiss National Bank introduces negative rates
In the face of growing pressure on the Swiss franc, the SNB imposes an interest rate of -0.25% on sight deposits held at the central bank
Central Bank of Paraguay reduces inflation target to 4.5%
After keeping inflation around 5% for the past three years, the central bank will now aim to shackle it at 4.5% in 2015 and 2016
Bank of Israel researchers propose exchange rate-based forward guidance
Researchers say forward guidance has a mixed track record, especially in small open economies, but linking guidance to external factors would help improve credibility
Bank of England MPC still split 7-2 on rates
Minutes from the December meeting show Ian McCafferty and Martin Weale voted for a 25bp hike for the fifth consecutive month; they argue wage growth could ‘pick up sharply’
Robert Pringle's Viewpoint: The global finance system is in bad need of repair
Muddling through is not enough: neglect of global money can trigger political earthquakes that sweep away any chance of reasonable debate and compromise
Ingves: Riksbank prepared to launch currency interventions
Swedish governor says central bank prepared to take unconventional measures, including negative interest rates and asset purchases, in light of falling oil prices
Czech National Bank advises against joining ERM II in 2015
Central bank says the government should not set a target date for entry into the eurozone; raises concern over pace of economic convergence and costs of joining
Ruble plummets despite 650bp hike by Bank of Russia
Second interest rate increase in four days does little to stem currency's precipitous decline; analyst calls central bank's apparent reluctance to intervene in forex markets a ‘game changer'
Bonnici disappointed by TLTRO take-up in Malta
Central Bank of Malta governor Josef Bonnici says it "would be a pity" if the country’s banks did not take advantage of the cheap funding on offer
Signs of reflation in Japan as Abe sweeps back to power
Tankan survey shows degree of optimism among businesses and potential for rising wages in coming months, although evidence is mixed; Shinzo Abe reclaims supermajority in election
IMF: Uganda cut policy meetings to improve forecasts
Bank of Uganda now sets policy once every two months in an effort to base decisions on "firmer" data; the ECB will hold eight meetings in 2015 with the BoE set to follow suit in 2016
Brazil’s central bank lowers expectations of further action
Brazil’s central bank says inflation will enter ‘a long period of decline’ next year, as it looks to guide inflation and interest rate expectations
Norges Bank cuts interest rates as krone weakens
Low inflation gives Norway's central bank room to tackle the impact on growth of falling oil prices; governor suggests key rate will remain at record low for the next two years
Bank of England unveils sweeping transparency changes
Bank of England to publish transcripts of monetary policy meetings, cut number of meetings, revamp committee structures and more; Barry Eichengreen says benefits likely to ‘dominate’ costs
Weak TLTRO demand increases pressure on ECB
Banks borrow €129.8 through ECB's second operation; pressure increases on governing council to launch new measures in January or March 2015
Bank of Russia raises interest rates by 100bp
Central bank will continue to hike to stem double-digit inflation; growth expected to remain low "until import-substituting industries develop"
Praet explores QE transmission channels
ECB chief economist considers scope of portfolio rebalancing and signalling effects for both corporate and sovereign bond purchases
Bank of Mexico sells dollars to stop peso decline
Bank of Mexico will buy up to $200 million worth of pesos a day, after a currency depreciation that it fears could boost inflation and push the central bank into an interest rate hike