Central Banks
HKMA strikes a cautious note on territory’s banking sector
Hong Kong Monetary Authority concerned about continued credit expansion in the territory and contagion risk from the European sovereign debt crisis
FSB to improve monitoring of compensation practices
Financial Stability Board to introduce two new mechanisms to help ensure a level playing field where executive pay is aligned with the long-term interests of financial institutions
ECB survey finds worsening borrowing conditions for SMEs
European Central Bank survey finds borrowing conditions for SMEs have ‘worsened considerably’ in past six months
Riksbank report calls for creation of kronor bond portfolio
Sveriges Riksbank research advises central bank to acquire a portfolio of assets held in Swedish kronor as part of 'toolkit' to help achieve long-term financial stability
RBA cites weaker economy in decision to cut policy rate
Reserve Bank of Australia cuts cash rate by 50 basis points; highlights weaker economic growth and lower-than-expected inflation for the move
BoJ’s Morimoto says productivity improvements needed to promote growth
Bank of Japan policy board member highlights the importance of productivity in the Japanese labour market to ensure future economic growth
IMF working paper discusses competitiveness and labour costs
International Monetary Fund working paper examines measures of external competitiveness; uses Slovakia as sample for research
Central Bank of Ireland publishes research on house-price decline
Irish central bank research shows house-price falls in Ireland among worst in OECD; negative future expectations cited among reasons for continuing fall
US Treasury’s FX exemption hangs in the balance
A year after the US Treasury's proposed regulatory exemption for FX swaps and forwards, the position has never been confirmed - and some believe it may be reconsidered
MAS to use currency appreciation to keep inflation in check
Monetary Authority of Singapore says ‘gradual’ easing of exchange band will ‘anchor’ inflation; Asian demand to underpin economy despite ageing population and economic problems in the West
Mowry promoted to head IT division at Fed
Sharon Mowry named director of information technology and chief information officer at US Federal Reserve
Constâncio calls for euro-wide database of repo trades
European Central Bank vice-president calls for database of repo trades as part of new regulatory framework for shadow banking sector
Central Bank of Ireland governor wants 'intrusive' regulation
Patrick Honohan says regulatory system in Ireland is now ‘obtrusive and intrusive’ rather than 'light touch'
Demetriades to take over as Central Bank of Cyprus governor
Central Bank of Cyprus governor Athanasios Orphanides replaced by president after first five-year term; Panicos Demetriades to take top job on May 3
RBI’s Sinha calls for enhanced regulation of microfinance
Reserve Bank of India deputy governor calls for greater regulation of the microfinance sector; says there has been a "significant downturn" in the sector's prospects
IMF research discusses new formulas for compiling CPI indexes
International Monetary Fund working paper examines new formulas for compiling consumer price indexes using geometric averages
SNB’s Jordan defends exchange rate intervention
Swiss central bank chief Thomas Jordan says minimum exchange rate policy for euro proving effective; adds that despite the 'floor' the Swiss franc remains "overvalued"
Bank of Estonia notes increasing electronic payments
Central bank says more than 99% of non-cash payments in Estonia are now electronic; further increase in use of internet payments expected
BoE’s Tucker sets out plan to tackle shadow banking
Paul Tucker lays out ‘possible policy agenda’ for tackling shadow banking; warns against limiting sector altogether
BoJ to purchase another ¥10 trillion of JGBs
Bank of Japan increases size of asset purchase programme in line with expectations; faces call to end 'banknote rule'
Finland's Hakkarainen ponders challenges ahead for restarting growth
Bank of Finland deputy governor examines challenges facing European and other advanced economies as future growth is sought
RBI's Chakrabarty discusses increasing financial inclusion
Reserve Bank of India deputy governor outlines measures taken by RBI to increase financial inclusion