Central Banks
BoE holds interest rates as MPC members differ over risks
MPC points to signs of stronger recovery but also uncertainties around household spending
Brazil’s central bank raises policy rate
MPC signals it is ready to raise rates at May meeting in response to rising inflation
Georgia central bank raises policy rate despite recession
Authorities hike rates, citing rising inflation, amid high unemployment and political turmoil
Fed keeps policy rate steady
Jerome Powell says FOMC will hold policy until it sees “actual progress, not forecast progress”
Firms and consumers form expectations differently – Irish paper
Confidence leads eurozone firms to expect higher inflation, but consumers to expect lower, says research
Eurozone inflation remains stable
Official figures show inflation at 0.9%, unchanged from January
Pandemic likely to worsen market concentration – IMF research
Authors warn rising market power tends to impair monetary and fiscal policy
FCA to clamp down on firms with low levels of diversity
UK regulator says it will consider how best to use its powers if inclusion and diversity are in question
Belarus central bank cancels meetings calendar
Despite rising inflation, national bank holds policy rate steady and sets no date for next decision
UK’s FCA lays first-ever criminal charges of money laundering
Regulators charge NatWest with failing to monitor transactions; bank faces unlimited fine
New monetary frameworks involve risk trade-offs – IMF’s Adrian
Lower-for-longer rates may help to avoid deflation, but could contribute to medium-term volatility
BoE’s Woods says PRA needs more rulemaking powers
PRA chief dismisses “caricature” of the “rampant regulator intent on crushing the industry”
IMF delays SDR valuation review
Delay reflects priority placed on Covid-19 response and possible clash with other workstream
People: new deputy governor at Bank of Greece
Vice-presidents appointed at Cleveland and Richmond Feds; former Dominican Republic governor dies
HKMA chief plays down threat to currency peg
Eddie Yue tells journalists forthcoming IPOs should alleviate pressure
Bank of Thailand plans overseas PromptPay connections
Central bank aims to connect to retail instant payment systems in other countries
ECB welcomes proposed reforms to Latvian central bank
Major reforms prompted by series of scandals under former Bank of Latvia governor
Belize central bank law to allow bigger loans to state
Amendments come amid debt crisis as IMF warns country to defend currency peg
US fiscal stimulus key factor for inflation in Mexico – governor
Banxico governor stresses importance of investor’s portfolio changes ahead of next policy meeting
Bank of Canada aims to use 100% clean electricity by 2022
Central bank has made a number of institutional changes to reduce its carbon footprint
Riksbank report explains basis for green asset purchases
Report sets out legal and operational basis for “norm-based negative screening”
Eastern Libyan governor tries to resign as threats mount
Local media says el-Hibri complains of shrinking revenue and attacks on staff amid civil war
Fed paper finds ways to boost forecast performance
Adding extra information can help make forecasts more accurate and robust, authors say