Central Banks
IMF paper observes heterogeneous interest rate pass-through
Fund study identifies factors that both facilitate and impede monetary policy pass-through to economy and financial markets
Draghi backs ‘consistent’ implementation of Basel III
In his foreword to a new book, Mario Draghi says consistent implementation of Basel III rules must be achieved
Lagarde sets out ‘four-C’ plan to keep IMF relevant
Christine Lagarde says IMF must focus on clients and connections, be comprehensive and credible; reform of voting system is a top priority
Greek debt guarantees were vital for monetary policy: Estonia’s Lipstok
Bank of Estonia chairman Andres Lipstok says pledge by eurozone leaders to provide European Central Bank with guarantees for Greek collateral was very important for its price stability mandate
South Sudan currency exchange begins in earnest: images
Senior officials in South Sudan exchange Sudan pound for new South Sudan currency; central bank sets deadline for public to exchange old banknotes for new ones
Hungary holds as inflation moves closer to target: minutes
National Bank of Hungary minutes shows decline in inflation suggested return to 3% target would not necessitate a monetary tightening
Microfinance lenders' global exposure increasing: IMF paper
Fund study shows that microfinance lenders are becoming more affected by events in international markets post-crisis
Robert Mundell: How to save the euro
Nobel laureate Robert Mundell says eurozone can be saved with three-pronged policy solution, ‘for the short run, intermediate run and long run’
Hawkish RBI in ‘surprise’ rate hike
Reserve Bank of India shocks markets with 50-basis point rate hike in a bid to curb rising inflationary pressures; further rate hikes expected this year
CIC adopts more bullish investment strategy
China Investment Corporation 2010 Annual Report shows major shift in sovereign wealth fund's investment strategy towards equities and alternative assets
South Korea monetary policy talks between government and central bank
Finance ministry official meets with central bank deputy governor to discuss macroeconomic policy; fears central bank may be losing independence
Risky lending driven by largest banks: ECB paper
European Central Bank study shows that larger banks are the most likely to apply aggressive pricing strategies in syndicated loan markets
BoE paper identifies drivers of energy price volatility
Bank of England study says risk premium and productivity shocks operated in inverse directions on inflation in the UK
Markets turn to periphery in wake of Greek package
Yields on Spanish and Italian debt edge higher as markets remain uncertain over the wider impact of Greece's bailout on peripheral countries
HKMA misses design fault on new banknote
Hong Kong Monetary Authority forced to apologise for design flaw on new HK$100 banknote; cost of re-design and re-prints will be covered by banknote designer HSBC
Target 2 experiences three-hour outage
Target 2 payments system down for three hours on Monday morning; European Central Bank says source of interruption is as yet unexplained
ABS markets influential on composition of international debt markets: ECB report
European Central Bank study on asset-backed securities markets provides valuable insight into the currency composition of international debt markets
Emerging markets influence on global trade trends: IMF report
Fund study links shifts in global trade patterns to greater interconnectedness and concentration of emerging markets
Fitch sees default ahead for Greece
Rating agency says Greece will default on its debt after European heads of state agree on €109 billion bailout plan for Greece with private sector involvement and more scope for EFSF assistance
Philippines introduces new financial reporting rules
Central Bank of Philippines revises guidelines on financial reporting to improve stability of financial institutions; new rules bring Philippines into line with international standards
UK opts out of ECB's T2S
Reports emerge suggesting the UK has opted out of the European Central Bank's Target2- Securities project
Row brews in Costa Rica over new banknote
Central bank forced to defend wording on new banknote; debate erupts on ‘state’ versus ‘republic’
Banks have most to lose from a US default: Standard & Poor's report
Standard and Poor’s says financial institutions reliant on short-term funding from the US Treasury would be hit hardest if the US were to default on its debt