Financial Stability
Inclusion survey identifies ‘significant gaps’ in data collection
Report published by Irving Fisher Committee on Central Bank Statistics highlights issues around how data is collected, including lack of integration with national statistical frameworks
Electronic payment system standards will be a 2016 priority, EBA says
Developing technical standards for European electronic payment systems will be a priority for 2016, the EBA says; authority will continue to work closely with ECB
Basel Committee approves G-Sib frameworks
All five jurisdictions home to globally systemic banks have established frameworks in line with the Basel accord, first cross-jurisdictional study finds
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe cuts electronic payment charges to tackle cash shortage
Central Bank introduces latest measure to combat cash shortage by encouraging use of electronic payments; mobile payments on the rise but card use still low
ECB bulletin article criticises EU fiscal arrangements
The eurozone's fiscal arrangements are "vague", article in the ECB’s latest economic bulletin says; criticises Commission's proposed fiscal metrics and calls for single eurozone treasury
Stronger Spanish banks still vulnerable to global risks – report
Spanish banks increase solvency over course of 2015, Bank of Spain report says, although decline continues in lending; main risk comes from global instability
Colombia to treat new credit line as ‘insurance’ against extreme shocks
IMF expands agreement with Colombia to $11.5 billion; deputy technical governor highlights role it has to play as economy goes through period of adjustment
RBA’s Kent considers risks around Chinese debt
Australian assistant governor says high debt increases China’s vulnerability to shocks, but because much of it is domestic, and funded by household sector, authorities have some leeway
Research explores impact of Italian product market reforms on productivity
Authors find positive association between firm performance and deregulation of sector; correlation stronger in areas with 'more efficient’ public services
Flug sets out ‘change in philosophy’ on new banks
Bank of Israel governor sets out measures adopted by banking supervision department to make it easier to start a bank from scratch; part of broader competition drive in the country
Negative rates fail to dent Danish bank profitability
National Bank of Denmark concerned banks may be pursuing return targets too aggressively, as profits hit highest level since 2008 crisis; banks reshaping business models to avoid low-rate impact
Irish banks prepared for Brexit but face material effects, deputy says
Effects on profitability and business models could be ‘material’ if UK votes to leave EU, Irish deputy warns, though central bank is satisfied with short-term contingency planning
Measures needed to keep married women in wage sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, paper finds
Working paper examines gender gap in labour markets in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda and Zambia; finds education opens opportunities, but they can diminish after marriage
Ukraine announces further easing of cash and forex controls as inflation falls
Ukrainian central bank signals confidence by further easing currency and forex restrictions; headline and core inflation figures both falling faster than expected, bank says
RBI approves new method for restructuring stressed loans
Indian banks will be able to split some of their largest stressed loans in two; rules introduced as RBI looks to help banks achieve “clean and fully provisioned bank balance sheets” by March 2017
PBoC deputy Tao says China’s financial system is failing SMEs
China's financial system needs to improve if it is to support crucial supply-side reforms via a particular focus on SME funding; financial institutions must be allowed to fail, says PBoC deputy
Nouy renews calls for Pillar 2 'guidance'
European supervisors should employ "capital guidance", Danièle Nouy says; large eurozone banks currently disadvantaged compared with competitors, ECB's supervisory head argues
Oil price falls may have negative effects on global economy, ECB warns
Falling oil prices may negatively affect global GDP growth and could threaten financial stability across emerging markets, ECB bulletin says; demand not supply now main pressure on prices
Liikanen calls for more macroprudential tools in Finland
Bank of Finland governor says new tools should be provided before there is a need to use them; warns of risks associated with growing debt-to-income ratios alongside weaker long-term growth
PMA aims for better credit allocation with upgraded scoring system
Palestine Monetary Authority rolls out latest version of its credit scoring system; new categories and adjusted variables designed to improve credit allocation
Wu Xiaoling warns of growing risks in China’s financial system
Top Chinese economic policy-maker hits out at use of complex financial products, saying China must learn lessons from the global financial crisis before risks get out of hand
China makes strong start on economic transition
The past year has been one of progress for China’s structural reform plans. Zhang Hongli, IFF Academic Committee member and vice-president of ICBC, examines the forward momentum
Deepening reform of the financial system
Governor of the People’s Bank of China Zhou Xiaochuan examines the Central Committee’s proposals set out in the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan of national economic and social development
Reforming the Chinese banking system
China Banking Regulatory Commission chairman Shang Fulin explains how the banking system can evolve to safely support sound and sustainable development