Financial Stability
EU leaders agree on new powers for ECB
European Central Bank to run single supervisory mechanism, but leaders fail to agree on when bailout funds can be directly injected into European banks
UK endorses Wheatley report to fix Libor
The UK Treasury has endorsed recommendations made by Martin Wheatley of the Financial Conduct Authority to fix Libor; will amend the UK’s Financial Services Bill
Hong Kong set to meet Basel III deadline as others struggle
Hong Kong to put final Basel capital requirements legislation in place by January 1 deadline, as most other countries struggle to hit G-20 deadline
Volcker warns of ‘permeable’ Vickers ring fence
Paul Volcker tells a UK parliamentary committee the Vickers ring fence has loopholes that will be widened over time by banks; says bad culture in trading arms ‘infected’ retail banks
Policy-makers debate how to restore trust in the financial system
Andrew Tyrie among speakers at BBA conference discussing how to develop greater trust in the financial system, ideas range from greater competition to code of conduct for bankers
Macao annual report sees ‘opportunity in crisis’
Monetary Authority of Macao annual report reveals drop in growth and climb in inflation; central bank chairman praises bank supervision developments
BoE’s Tucker says FCA may have to intervene to correct accounting failures
Paul Tucker says difference in market and banks’ asset valuations may require intervention by the Financial Conduct Authority; praises bail-ins as method of imposing discipline
BoE behind UK move to cut bank capital requirements
Bank of England’s interim Financial Policy Committee ordered a temporary easing of Pillar II bank capital buffers for British banks last month
UK’s Wheatley outlines steps toward new regulator
Chief executive-designate of the UK’s new Financial Conduct Authority outlines regulatory vision; new body to be created in 2013 as one half of ‘twin peaks’ approach
Canada’s Carney wants an end to ‘global angst’
Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says quick and bold action needed to end uncertainty restraining economic growth
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Fixing banks and regulation
Central bank balance sheets are ballooning due to the failure of banking systems and new rules are unlikely to address the issue. Only a full legal separation of banking activities will do.
Shirakawa proposes tackling financial stability as a ‘public good problem’
Bank of Japan governor, Masaaki Shirakawa, says an optimal solution to create the conditions needed for financial stability could be achieved by reviewing the challenge as a ‘public good problem’
Bernanke plays down emerging market impact of QE
Fed chairman says negative impact of quantitative easing on emerging markets is offset by a stronger US economy. But countries such as Brazil have had to take action to protect their currencies
CFTC’s clearing timeline prompts backloading 'meltdown'
A re-reading of the CFTC's phase-in rules for central clearing is prompting alarm among buy- and sell-side firms
Europeans round on IMF as rescue plan takes shape
European policy-makers take on critics at the IMF saying the Fund’s view that matters now are worse in Europe compared with six months ago is flawed; set out a roadmap to eurozone stability
Tyrie to scrutinise draft of UK’s Banking Reform bill
The UK’s Banking Reform Bill published today will undergo parliamentary scrutiny; Andrew Tyrie concerned important details are being left to secondary legislation
UK needs ‘innovative’ policy levers beyond price stability, says FSA’s Turner
Adair Turner blasts past regulatory failings and says UK must now turn to ‘innovative and unconventional’ policies; remains a leading contender for Bank of England governorship
Asmussen trumpets progress on European debt stabilisation
ECB board member Jörg Asmussen says eurozone’s progress on debt stabilisation is ahead of other developed economies, but more work needs to be done
IMF paper untangles liquidity indicators
A study by IMF staff finds price and quantity indicators can be used to separate the effects of supply and demand shocks on global liquidity; changes especially telling in a crisis
IMF meeting set to reinforce global pessimism
Governments need to take urgent policy action to capitalise on the ‘breathing space’ created by central banks. But few attending the IMF meeting in Tokyo believe law-makers are fit for the task
Final rules for D-Sibs published as FSB holds plenary meeting
Financial Stability Board meeting in Tokyo endorses publication of final framework for regulating D-Sibs; principles focus on assessment methodology and higher loss-absorbency requirements
Central Bank of Malaysia raids ‘Ponzi’ scheme companies
Four gold-trading companies raided by central bank amid charges they were running illegal gold-trading schemes described as ‘Ponzi’ operations, according to the Malaysian central bank
Fed’s Tarullo says Dodd-Frank requires ‘extensive elaboration’
Daniel Tarullo highlights challenges in producing details of Dodd-Frank Act regulations; suggests limits to mergers by large banks and says SEC should strengthen money market fund regulation
Brazil second in world for non-cash payments
World Payments Report reveals Brazil is second only to the US for volume of non-cash payments; use of electronic and mobile payments shows ‘exponential growth’