Monetary Policy
Public protector backs down over Sarb mandate challenge
Mkhwebane admits she lacks power to suggest parliament make changes to the constitution, though she stands by her call for a review of the Sarb’s mandate
BoJ faces growing communications challenge
Japanese central bank embarks on its third attempt at unlimited fixed-rate outright JGB purchases; further fiscal stimulus would do little to help
Central Bank of Egypt hikes rate in bid to rein in rapid inflation
Inflation is starting to slow after impact of devaluation but is still running at close to 30%, the central bank says
Bullard raises concerns about east coast dominance of the Fed
St Louis Fed president is not worried about the major shake-up of the board of governors; points to reducing the influence of the New York Fed on the FOMC
St Louis’s Bullard on the future of the Fed and its monetary policy record
St Louis Fed president James Bullard rails against east coast dominance, favours aspects of the Choice Act and says Fed monetary policy was a “factor” that fuelled crisis
FSB turns to video in effort to widen comms reach
“Safer, simpler, fairer” video seeks to broaden communications effort to a less specialised audience
Bank of Thailand raises growth forecast amid weak inflation
Thai central bank says it is waiting for economic growth to become more broad-based, as inflation continues to disappoint
US policy having a larger impact on credit – BIS paper
Monetary policy’s effects on credit and housing markets have grown while the effects on inflation have weakened, paper finds
Inflation data causes rift in FOMC
Fed officials discuss whether incoming low inflation data is “transitory” or is a sign of worrying things to come; minutes outline balance sheet unwinding but date remains unknown
Sarb to increase engagement on monetary policy
Governor says central bank officials should be the ones to outline “sensible” view of monetary policy; wants debate over mandate to be based on facts
BoE bloggers suggest central banks could use equity-financed QE
Economists raise ideas for future balance sheet innovations, including digital currencies, helicopter money drops and equity-based quantitative easing
Divided Central Bank of Colombia votes to cut interest rates
Worries about inflation not returning to target spur board to cut interest rates to 5.75%; external conditions remain a concern despite slightly better inflation data
Brazil cuts target as inflation plummets
New target now more in line with regional peers, says finance minister; corruption charges could threaten financial stability in the long run
Bank of Jamaica chooses overnight deposits for new policy rate
Bank of Jamaica continues to make changes to monetary policy framework with goal of fully fledged inflation targeting in mind
Bond sell-off slows as markets digest central bank comments
Upbeat comments from ECB and BoE chiefs trigger brief tantrum, but bond markets now appear to be settling down
Carney comments lead to sterling wobbles
Pound leaps as markets interpret comments as sign Bank of England governor is contemplating a rate hike later this year
BoJ told to improve communication on potential exit from stimulus
Speculation is growing over the timing and method of the exit from the stimulus programme, creating a new communication challenge for the BoJ
RBNZ’s Hannah: central bank is working to close trust gap
Survey in 2014 showed how poor public understanding of the central bank’s work went hand in hand with low trust
Exogenous constraints affected asset purchase programme, Irish paper says
Research letter looks at impact of extended scheme
BoJ’s Iwata says expectations likely to shift as inflation returns
Deputy governor cites Milton Friedman in arguing that people will become more forward-looking when their wages are eroded by inflation
RBI minutes: ‘abrupt’ retreat of inflation calls for caution
MPC members express surprise at swift retreat of food prices, though they warn against setting policy by looking in the “rearview mirror”
Bank of Canada prepares to open redesigned museum
Museum set to reopen in July after “complete reimagining”, including interactive exhibits on the central bank’s mandate, inflation-based games and a two-tonne “Yap stone”
PSPP’s effects became significant after expansion – Irish paper
Paper examines responses of Ireland-domiciled investment funds
Recovery increasingly resilient; inflation predictions down – ECB
GDP forecasts revised up and ECB says recovery is “broadening”, but inflation projections revised down