Central Banks
CAR to drop crypto as legal tender
Country bows to pressure from partners in regional monetary union
Riksbank governor stresses Swedish banks’ strength
Thedéen says “inflation needs to come down significantly” in 2023
Nigeria and Morocco raise rates
Inflation hits record level in Morocco and remains high in Nigeria
IMF review finds flaws in Covid-19 response
Key departments lacked sufficient staff and fund missed surge in inflation, IEO report says
Norway and Iceland raise rates as inflation stays high
Iceland’s governor warns of wage-price spiral and says economy is overheating
Moldova cuts rates while North Macedonia tightens
Inflation falling in both countries as Moldova confronts drought and energy problems
Countries vary on governor appointment powers
Poorer countries more likely to combine powers, while richer ones split responsibilities
BIS to trial Asian instant payments link
Project Nexus aims to create standardised cross-border link for different countries’ systems
People: January to March 2023
A round-up of central bankers in the news and on the move during the past three months
SNB increases rates by 50bp in wake of Credit Suisse crisis
Swiss central bank sold Sfr27 billion in foreign currency in Q4 to tighten financial conditions
Brazilian MPC holds rates despite pressure
President says policy rate is “absurd” but MPC says expectations not yet anchored round targets
Costa Rica cuts rates, bucking Latin American trend
Argentina resumes monetary tightening, while Paraguay continues to hold
Three Asian central banks raise rates
Central banks in Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong continue with monetary tightening
BoE tightens policy after inflation surprise
Hot February inflation figure prompted policy-makers to continue tightening
MAS set to build digital platform to tackle financial crimes
Central bank will develop an information-sharing platform with six leading banks
Central banks’ roles differ by national wealth
Few central banks have task of overseeing sovereign wealth funds
Fed raises rates 25bp and signals possible halt soon
Credit tightening may substitute for further rate hikes, Powell says
Lagarde lays out ECB’s data-dependent rate path
ECB president stresses bringing inflation to target is “non-negotiable”
Eurozone banks not directly hit by US stress, says Enria
Head of ECB supervision says mid-sized US banks enjoy more lenient stress tests
Yellen flags ‘contagious bank run’ risk
US Treasury secretary pledges small banks will gain 100% deposit insurance if needed
Most governments can change mandates without consulting central banks
Most jurisdictions’ central bank laws either limit or forbid monetary financing
ECB hails launch of new wholesale settlement system
Eurosystem’s new RTGS system and liquidity management tool went live on March 20