Financial Stability
Payment systems, monetary policy in Europe
The first of two articles published by the Financial Times on Friday 6 October looks at the issue of central bank "plumbing" which, it says, is creating a stink for the ECB. The second article concerns a letter sent by a group of monetarist economists to…
T2S is 'only solution': ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell
The European Central Bank sees its proposal on securities settlement, called TARGET2 Securities, as offering an "efficient organisation of central bank money", says Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell, a member of the executive board, in an interview in the autumn…
Trichet on bank transfer data from SWIFT
In a speech on the interception of bank transfer data from the SWIFT system by the US secret services given on 4 October Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said warned the European Parliament that any disruption to the SWIFT bank data sharing system could…
Where did market volatility go?
In this editorial, published Thursday 5 October by The Korea Herald, former IMF chief economist Kenneth Rogoff says an uneerie calm has engulfed virtually every major asset class, from stocks to bonds.
ECB says final decision on T2S in 2007
The European Central Bank will make a final decision on whether to proceed with its proposed Target 2 Securities settlement system in the first half of 2007, executive board member Gertrude Tumpell-Gugerell said Wednesday 4 October.
Swift defends role in data exchange
Swift, the Belgian company accused of transferring data on financial transactions to the US authorities, has refuted claims that it acted illegally.
Bahrain to revamp payment system
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), formerly the Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA), is in the process of revamping the national payment system, Trade Arabia reported.
Rick Hou on Solomon Islands bank notes
In the speech 'Launching of Solomon Islands' new and revised bank notes' given on 2 September Rick Houenipwela of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands said in the Solomon Islands currency development is influenced by various socio-economic factors.
RBA's Lowe on payment systems evolution
In a speech given on 27 September Philip Lowe of the RBA said over the past year or so, the Reserve Bank has been examining the architecture and governance of Australia's payment systems and the range of payment products offered in Australia.
ECB will move forward with financial integration
A European Central Bank executive board member signalled in comments to the Financial Times, published Friday 29 September, that the ECB will push ahead with plans to increase eurozone financial integration by providing securities settlement services,…
RBA Financial Stability Review, September 2006
The Reserve Bank of Australia published the September 2006 edition of its Financial Stability Review on Thursday 28 September. Household balance sheets are in reasonable shape despite recent interest rate hikes, according to the latest Review.
Riyadh to host payment systems conference
A two-day international conference on 'Payment Systems in Saudi Arabia and GCC countries' is to be held in Riyadh from 14 November. The forum will discuss the present mode of electronic access to funds at remote locations and future strategies.
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on a SEPA for cards
In the speech 'A SEPA for cards: a contribution to a cashless society?' given on 20 September Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said the ECB has been surprised by the strength of growth in cash in circulation since the launch of the euro.
Technology diffusion within central banking
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York Staff Paper "Technology diffusion within central banking: The case of real-time gross settlement" examines the diffusion of real-time gross settlement (RTGS) technology across all 174 central banks.
Oman begins automated clearing
Oman's central bank has started its automated clearing house system for handling bulk electronic credit and debit transfers, according to the Oman Daily Observer.
RBA's Stevens on risk and the financial system
In the speech 'Risk and the financial system' given on 15 September Glenn Stevens of the Reserve Bank of Australia said lower macroeconomic volatility had been one factor encouraging a marked increase in the debt that households were content to carry in…
Canada's Jenkins on weathering economic shocks
In the speech 'Weathering economic shocks: The importance of flexibility' given on 13 September Paul Jenkins of the Bank of Canada issued a warning to federal and provincial governments that they should not use their windfalls to take actions that would…
Sweden's Ingves on financial crises
In the speech 'Financial crises in an international perspective' given on 12 September Stefan Ingves of the Sveriges Riksbank said we do not need more regulation and supervision.
IMF Global Financial Stability Report, Sep 2006
The International Monetary Fund published its Global Financial Stability Report for September 2006 on 12 September. In the report the IMF warned that the risks of a global slowdown had increased due to higher interest rates, surging oil prices and an…
Fed's Kohn on evolution of retail payments
In the speech 'Evolution of retail payments and the role of the Federal Reserve' given on 11 September Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said technology advances and the increasing use of electronically deposited checks could spell the end of the…
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell on SEPA
In the speech 'From theory to practice: let's roll out the cables' given on 7 September Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said that in spite of good progress in the design phase, some issues of concern remain, in particular in the SEPA for cards.
Barbados central bank on Basel II progress
Banks in Barbados are moving ahead with implementing the Advanced IRB guidelines in Basel II for 2012.
BIS paper on business continuity
A new paper from the Bank of International Settlements sets outs business continuity principles for financial market participants and authorities.
How to face natural disasters
A report on the effects of Hurricane Katrina considers the lessons learned from managing a catastrophic event, including dealing with a sudden fall in the availability of cash and when electronic systems fail.