Monetary Policy
Inflation expectations more sensitive near the zero lower bound – IMF study
IMF study examines whether monetary policy can boost inflation in constrained environment; countries near zero lower bound could see inflation respond more to shocks
Fed members differ on monetary policy, as Trump again attacks Yellen
Rosengren calls for “modest, gradual tightening”, while Kashkari sees slack in labour market; Republican candidate questions Fed’s political impartiality
Sama intervenes to ease liquidity pressure on banks
Saudi central bank makes deposits worth over $5 billion at commercial banks struggling with low liquidity, and introduces new repo facilities
ECB officials and Borio disagree on falling real rates
Vítor Constâncio and François Villeroy de Galhau emphasise importance of saving-investment mismatch, while Claudio Borio stresses financial cycle, but speakers find some points of agreement
Carney: green finance could help reverse long-run rate decline
Bank of England governor says green finance has the potential to send capital where it is most needed, and help advanced economies escape the problem of falling equilibrium interest rates
Bank of Israel moves to eight-meeting policy cycle
Cut in number of meetings reflects stability of economic indicators and will allow for more detailed analysis at each meeting, central bank says, though one member criticises loss of flexibility
Sarb governor fends off political criticism
Central bank would co-operate should inquiry into supervision powers be launched; monetary policy committee leaves rate on hold with the prospect of an end to the hiking cycle nearing
RBA’s Lowe: we are not ‘inflation nutters’
Philip Lowe underscores central bank’s “balanced” approach to controlling inflation in his first public appearance as RBA governor, and highlights other initiatives
Fed holds but two more dissenters call for hike
Case for hike is building, says Janet Yellen, but economy has “a little longer to run”; two more FOMC members join Esther George in voting for hike
Central Bank of Kenya cuts rates despite new credit legislation
Commercial banks to amend lending rates again following a cut in interest rates; bank launches 50th birthday initiatives including new website
Declining inflation reduces pass-through effects for emerging markets – BIS paper
Central banks should be less fearful of floating their exchange rates; emerging markets should take note exchange rate channel could be “less effective” in affecting inflation
BoJ targets inflation overshoot with revamped policy approach
Shift to “yield curve control” could give the central bank more room for manoeuvre on asset purchases, as it promises to keep easing until inflation exceeds the target
Savers must adjust their plans amid low rates – Poloz
Bank of Canada governor illustrates harsh reality for savers with rates so low, underlining the need for people to put aside more funds or work for longer than anticipated
Reserve requirements complement monetary policy in small open economies – paper
Paper examines the use of indirect and direct monetary policy instruments in three Caribbean economies; increases in the reserve ratio are successful in reducing private sector credit
Target2 balance surge not a sign of eurozone ‘stress’ – ECB’s Praet
European Central Bank’s chief economist says €400 billion increase in outstanding euro real-time gross settlement claims is largely due to ECB’s asset purchases, rather than eurozone weakness
BIS paper examines impact of money market deregulation and integration
Integration of money markets and ability of banks to raise funds using variety of substitutable instruments has implications for monetary policy, paper says; deregulation results in larger open market operations
Ukrainian central bank cuts rates and promises further banking reform
Personnel director becomes acting deputy governor in charge of banking supervision; Lagarde praises conduct of monetary policy but says reform must continue
BoE signals further rate cut despite stronger-than-expected data
Package of measures announced in August led to “greater than anticipated boost” to UK asset prices; despite data somewhat stronger than expected a further rate cut is likely, minutes say
Riksbank highlights complexity in choice of target
Report studies case for changing target to CPIF or HICP inflation, and reinstating target band, ahead of discussions over monetary framework reforms
FOMC members disagree over need for rate hike
Lael Brainard argues labour market suffers from slack and monetary policy is weak when dealing with weak demand; Dennis Lockhart confident of recovery, despite “frustrating” inflation data
Yellen ‘should be ashamed’ – Trump
Republican nominee for US presidency attacks Fed chair Yellen and says interest rates must be raised
Boston Fed’s Rosengren highlights risk of overheating
US economy looks “resilient”, despite some mixed signals from the data, says regional Fed president; advocates process of gradual rate hikes as the risk of an overheating economy grows
Azerbaijan central bank raises rates for fourth time this year as currency plummets
Falling oil and gas prices have major impact on Azerbaijan’s economy; IMF calls for major banking sector reforms
PBoC faces the ‘most challenging work of all central banks’ – HKU’s Xiao
The People’s Bank of China needs to meet short-term goals of exchange rate and price stability to achieve longer-term structural and financial reform, says Hong Kong University professor Xiao Geng