Central Banks
Central Bank of Tunisia report explores impact of revolution
Annual report for 2011 reveals a sharp drop in production and exports post-revolution; economic growth fell to -1.8%, says central bank
Bank of Thailand statistics show ‘resilient’ banking system
Figures for second-quarter 2012 indicate strong growth of lending and profits in Thai banking sector; results boosted by continued decline in non-performing loans
Central Bank of Ecuador receives loan to promote financial inclusion
Inter-American Development Bank lends Ecuador $10 million to further access to financial services in remote parts of the country; central bank to administer the project
Asian Development Bank opens office in Myanmar
Asian Development Bank furthers "re-engagement" with Myanmar by opening an office; alternate executive director from the country also joins ADB board of directors
UK inflation figures show surprise rise in July
Office for National Statistics surprises markets by announcing CPI inflation rose to 2.6% in July; Bank of England last week predicted the rate would continue to fall this year
RBA payments manager discusses challenge of Basel III deadline
Reserve Bank of Australia’s Mark Chambers says countries are struggling to implement Basel III framework in time; highlights obstacles facing Australian policy-makers in introducing regulations
Central Bank of Barbados governor praises government’s fiscal strategy
DeLisle Worrell says Barbadian government’s policy strategy is appropriate to the ‘economic reality’; follows downgrade of sovereign debt to BB+ in July
Estonian growth recovery 'relies' on eurozone governments' action
Estimates for Estonian growth rely on eurozone governments acting to ease the ongoing uncertainty, says central bank economist Kaspar Oja; domestic demand stays strong nevertheless
National Bank of Ukraine figures show end of deflationary period
Inflation figures show annualised CPI inflation rose from -0.3% in June to 0% in July; economic department deputy says figures are ‘close to optimal’
Nigerian bank responds to central bank call for more female leadership
United Bank for Africa appoints two female board members; follows push from financial sector leadership to increase number of women in senior roles in the industry
Central Bank of Chile paper identifies causes of sudden capital flows
Working paper assesses factors leading to sudden surges of capital in and out of economies; finds the majority of cases are driven primarily by changes in debt flows
IMF paper finds evidence in favour of ‘Chicago Plan’
Researchers analyse benefits of requiring 100% reserve backing of bank deposits and lending financed by retained earnings; argue evidence supports four major advantages of plan
Bangladesh Bank seminar argues inflation differential is a monetary phenomenon
Researchers present evidence of reasons behind inflation differential between Bangladesh and India; say gap was greater when money supply in Bangladesh was growing faster
ECB paper warns of capital control externalities
Working paper examines spillover from tax on capital inflows into Brazil; identifies significant direct impact amplified by signalling effects
Bank of Botswana issues warning over counterfeit notes
Photocopies of 200 pula banknotes discovered; central bank urges public to report suspicious currency to the police
National Bank of Serbia moves to shore up confidence
Executive board raises interest rates and increases dinar reserve requirements; Serbian government says new budget being prepared as IMF delegation arrives
Norway’s pension fund loses $13 billion in second quarter
Continuing problems in the euro area and fears about global economy weigh heavily on the performance of Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, which has switched investment to equities and emerging currencies
UK moves to address Libor debacle
Martin Wheatley presses ahead with UK government investigation into Libor manipulation; may replace the interest rate benchmark
RBA reveals brighter growth outlook
Reserve Bank of Australia improves 2012 growth estimate; strong figures offset by uncertainty regarding external developments and possible upward trend for inflation
Portfolio theory vindicated by crisis, says Markowitz
Nobel prize-winner defends his work on portfolio theory, which critics claim has been discredited by the crisis
IMF paper assesses impact of monetary policy on inequality
Researchers study channels through which monetary policy affects income inequality in the US; find interest rate hikes cause increase in inequality
Central Bank of Brazil paper develops systemic risk indicators
Working paper suggests quantitative measures of systemic risk in Brazil that could be used by prudential regulators to determine when to intervene
National Bank of Rwanda highlights stable financial system
Financial stability report says Rwandan banks are well capitalised and have achieved increases in profitability since 2009; warns of high level of non-performing loans and external risks
New Zealand paper finds costs and benefits of stable funding requirement
Discussion paper examines effects of minimum stable funding ratios under Basel III; suggests ratio reduces credit expansion but amplifies pro-cyclical effects of wholesale funding spreads