Central Banks
Botswana’s Mohohlo lauds accountants
Bank of Botswana governor Linah Mohohlo says accountants more than just number crunchers, pointing to expanding and evolving roles; outlines efforts in restoring good governance standards
Four risks to growth: Atlanta Fed’s Lockhart
Atlanta Federal Reserve president Dennis Lockhart counts Gulf of Mexico oil spill and commercial real estate sector risks among imminent threats to growth
Europe hikes capital rules, slashes banker bonuses
Legislation adopted by European Parliament requires banks hold up to four times more capital to protect against trading risk; half of bankers’ bonuses to be paid in contingent capital
Temasek Holdings’ portfolio hits record high
Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings says portfolio has hit record of $135 billion; fund chief credits increased exposure to Asian emerging markets
Cebs unveils details of EU stress tests
Committee of European Banking Supervisors names 91 banks that will be subject to stress tests; vague on methodology
ECB bond purchase effect wearing off, warns IMF
Fund cautions that stability risks are on the rise again as effect of European Central Bank’s foray into bond markets loses bite; southern eurozone to face refinancing contest with US, UK and Japan
Gold should form an essential part of central banks’ liquidity portfolio
The credit crisis has highlighted that in times of turmoil, gold is one of the few assets that remains liquid, says Natalie Dempster, director of government affairs at the World Gold Council
MAS's Lim says integrated sovereign wealth funds beneficial for industry
Monetary Authority of Singapore deputy chairman Lim Hng Kiang says improved ties between sovereign wealth funds will improve best practice in the industry
BIS: currency collapses benefit output growth
Bank for International Settlements study on currency collapses finds devaluation helps growth in the long run, rather than dampening it
RBA: standard Phillips curve better measure of inflation than New Keynesian version
Reserve Bank of Australia study finds traditional Phillips curve model outperforms New Keynesian version in measuring inflation
Ireland’s bad bank forced to slash profit forecast
Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency says €4.8 billion profit estimate was based on exaggerated figures from banks; chairman Frank Daly “disappointed and disturbed” by banks’ distortion
Differing sovereign debt haircuts to be included in EU stress tests: reports
Reports quote German banking officials as saying that extreme scenarios will apply steep haircuts to PIIGS sovereign debt, but none to bunds or French paper
Azerbaijan to move to DSGE model
National Bank of Azerbaijan will switch to consolidated DSGE framework by year-end; deputy research director says model valued for overall coherence and ability to factor in irrational behaviour
Ukraine President in bid to strengthen central bank independence
Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych submits draft bill to enhance central bank’s independence; measures lengthen governor’s term, increase number of deputies and prohibit party membership
ECB attacks Bucharest over central bank pay cuts
European Central Bank criticises Romania’s decision to impose wage cuts on central bankers after its government failed to consult Frankfurt
National Bank of Slovakia – Monthly Bulletin (May)
Monthly Bulletin shows economic recovery remains on a steady path in Slovakia
Abandon pure inflation targeting: India’s Subbarao
Reserve Bank of India governor Duvvuri Subbarao says central banks should not persist with single focus on inflation targeting
Zambia’s Fundanga: MoU will scale up research efforts on economy
Bank of Zambia governor Caleb Fundanga hails effort to improve research on country’s economy
Founding MPC member leaves UK fiscal watchdog after three months
Office of Budget Responsibility head Sir Alan Budd steps down after barely three months on the job
Bangkok names new central bank governor
Thailand’s cabinet selects former Securities and Exchange Commission chief Prasarn Trairatvorakul to take over as central bank head; markets, analysts welcome announcement
FROM THE ARCHIVES: new MPC member criticises Greenspan put
In this article, taken from the August 2003 edition of Central Banking, Martin Weale, on Monday named the Bank of England’s new rate-setter, argues against the Federal Reserve keeping rates at low levels following the bursting of the dotcom bubble
Protests at Icelandic central bank on car loan rules
Several hundred demonstrators congregate around central bank in peaceful protest against delinking of car loans from foreign currency exchange rates; rule change could see up to 10% of Icelanders hit with higher repayments
Central Bank of Brazil: inflation tax risked hyperinflation
Brazilian central bank study shows the country risked weak hyperinflation in the past due to high income tax elasticity
BoE data shows May rise in lending levels
Bank of England data on lending shows moderate gains in amount of loans issued to individuals and households; lending still remains below pre-crisis levels