Central Banks
Lithuania bucks trend to instead predict higher economic growth
Bank of Lithuania predicts higher economic growth in 2011; Mexico joins UK in lowering forecast
Fed spat over timeline for low rates
Target for federal funds rate kept at 0%-0.25% range until "at least" 2013; three committee members wanted ambiguous wording used on timescale
Bank of Israel looks at post-crisis pension market dynamics
Bank of Israel study says the outlook for investments in Israel’s pension market have become increasingly short-term
Cleveland Fed on merits to indexing loans
A Cleveland Federal Reserve study says indexing loans to aggregate variables can adjust business cycles to more optimal levels
Distinguishing between signs of illiquidity and insolvency: BoJ paper
Bank of Japan study examines how central banks can use lending signals to determine the solvency of firms
Macroprudential measures complement monetary policy: IMF paper
An IMF study says macroprudential policy can work in unison with monetary policy but it is not a direct substitute
BoE offers gloomy UK growth outlook
Bank of England revises downward gross domestic product forecast for 2011 to 2% after “sluggish growth” outlook; governor Mervyn King says future commitment to low interest rates is not an option
Switzerland takes further action to weaken the franc
Swiss National Bank acts again to try and stem appreciation; says it remains poised to take further measures
Chinese inflation hits new high
The National Bureau of Statistics says consumer price inflation in China rose to 6.5% in July, its highest level since June 2008
Former Bank of Thailand deputy governor named finance minister
Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala becomes new finance minister; served as deputy governor at central bank
Nigeria unveils payments system overhaul
Payments system faces complete overhaul in 2012; aim is to reduce reliance on cash
Bank Negara Malaysia deputy governor passes away
Mohd Razif bin Abd Kadir dies; served the central bank for 35 years
RBI governor Subbarao’s term extended
Prime minister approves two-year extension to Duvvuri Subbarao’s term as central bank chief
Fed’s international finance division director leaves
Nathan Sheets leaves the Federal Reserve after 18 years; Steven Kamin to step in as acting director
BoJ’s Shirakawa explains QE expansion
Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa says larger downside risks to economy motivated ¥10 trillion increase in asset purchases
Divergence in views emerges between Bank of Israel’s narrow forum
Bank of Israel says governor decided to hold monetary policy stance despite recommendation from one member of narrow forum to raise rates
Three strikes and you’re out
Standard and Poor’s downgrade of US debt is just one of a handful of errors made by credit rating agencies, writes Robert Aliber
Bond markets rally as ECB moves on Italian and Spanish debt
Yields on Italian and Spanish debt fall as European Central Bank signals it will actively implement its bond purchase programme
Buba paper identifies positive spillover effects of financial aid
Bundesbank study say German foreign afilliates benefit from effects of domestic aid policies
Chicago Fed reviews implementation of Dodd-Frank Act
Chicago Federal Reserve newsletter looks at policy debate on measures to address systemically important financial institutions
Greater interconnected banking systems pose instability threat: IMF paper
Fund study says greater links between banking systems could leave some countries more exposed to crises
Dollar falls on S&P downgrade
Standard and Poor’s makes unprecedented move by becoming the first ratings agency to downgrade the US credit rating; gold hits record high as dollar falls
Global equity markets tumble as euro area panic sets in
European sovereign debt crisis escalates as equity markets across the board record big losses