Central Banks
Greek reversion to drachma easier than euro conversion, say analysts
If Greece were to leave the eurozone it would have to establish a new currency in record time; analysts explain how the process would be simpler today due to technological advances
Emerging market central banks lead gold rush
World Gold Council Global Demand Trends report shows central banks were net buyers of gold in third quarter of 2011, led by Russia, Bolivia and Thailand
Bank of Canada paper urges reform to international monetary system
Bank of Canada study says reforms to international monetary system should focus on flexible exchange rate regimes and coherent macroeconomic policy
IMF paper on how to negotiate a debt restructuring
Fund study shows full creditor participation requires haircuts and probability of successfully holding out for entire repayment is not too high
US senator renews call for ‘crippling’ sanctions on Central Bank of Iran
Senator Mark Kirk wants foreign financial institutions conducting transactions through the Central Bank of Iran to see access to US financial system cut off, and their US-based assets blocked
Chicago Fed paper explores determinants of asset-price bubbles
Chicago Federal Reserve study says theoretical models that observe relative price deviations from fundamentals are effective in predicting boom-bust cycles
Central bank intervention in credit markets threatens independence, says Fed's Lacker
Richmond Federal Reserve president Jeffrey Lacker says intervention in credit markets diminishes central bank autonomy; CentralBanking.com poll suggests otherwise
Blanchflower blasts BoE’s forecasting record
Former Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member David Blanchflower says central bank will continue to miss projections until outdated models are replaced
IMF’s European director Antonio Borges quits
Director of European department, Antonio Borges, steps down for personal reasons; succeeded by strategy director Reza Moghadam in shake-up at Fund
Turkey and Nigeria in talks with China about currency swaplines
Governors of relevant central banks confirm Republic of Turkey and Nigeria are both in negotiations with the People’s Bank of China regarding currency swaplines
Quantitative easing proved effective in Japan: IMF paper
Fund study shows the Bank of Japan’s asset purchase programme helped lower bond yields and raised equity prices in the country
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation agrees to strengthen collaboration efforts
Central bank and monetary authority representatives gather in Kuala Lumpur to discuss place of Islamic finance in changing global financial system; reaffirm commitment to strengthening collaboration
Sanusi reveals ‘strategic’ decision to hold renminbi reserves
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria explains why he made the decision to convert some of the country’s reserves into renminbi; says Nigeria left it “too late” to buy gold
BoE revises downward UK growth forecast
Bank of England November Inflation Report expects sluggish growth in 2012 on back of weak global demand and eurozone crisis
IMF paper models systemic risk in banking sector
Fund study creates model to measure correlation between solvency and liquidity risks in banking system
BIS paper finds tightening bias in reserve requirements
Bank for International Settlements study says reserve requirements impose tax burden on Chinese banks, which is passed on to depositors and SMEs
Insurers and pension funds may retreat from long-term investments, says Praet
European Central Bank executive board member Peter Praet says new regulatory initiatives and low-yield environment is limiting scope for long-term investments
Bank of Canada launches first polymer banknote
Bank of Canada issues first new polymer C$100 banknote into circulation; governor Mark Carney says new bills are at the frontier of banknote technology
IMF calls on China to overhaul its financial system
Fund review says China’s real estate sector faces a steady build-up in vulnerabilities; believes reforms to the country’s financial system are crucial to stability in the region
Financial inclusion to figure strongly in new ten-year plan, says Zeti
Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz reveals the country’s next 10-year master plan will be unveiled in December; stresses new measures that will focus on enhancing financial inclusion
Strong bank relationships eases lending squeeze: BIS paper
Bank for International Settlements finds that building a close relationship with a bank can help reduce lending volatility during crisis