Central Banks
Monetary policy is not ‘impotent’ – BoE’s Broadbent
Scepticism is “overdone” and may encourage inaction, deputy governor says
UK regulators checking firms’ virus contingency plans
Firms can use alternative sites or let staff work from home so long as regulatory obligations are met
Book notes: The art of economic catch-up, by Keun Lee
Rather than merely catch-up, the book offers countries advice in making a sea change in their economic statuses
Andrew Bailey defends record in parliamentary grilling
Prospective BoE governor says he faced a “huge task” in “rebuilding” the FCA, though he admits he is “not proud” of some things that happened during his tenure
Tough inspections help cut zombie lending, paper finds
Checking banks’ assessments of asset quality cut loans to non-viable firms – Bank of Portugal paper
Bank of Canada follows Fed with coronavirus rate cut
It is “becoming clear” virus will impact growth more than previously expected, central bank says
What can the ECB do now?
Central bank is facing coronavirus shock with limited room for further policy measures
How could the coronavirus affect the world economy?
Central banks may lack firepower, while public health readiness differs sharply between countries
Riksbank’s Breman says coronavirus does not demand looser policy yet
Swedish central bank abandoned negative rates in December; inflation declined sharply in January
ECB’s asset purchases had global spillovers – IMF research
Eurozone investors significantly rebalanced into foreign advanced-economy securities, researchers find
ECB mulls wider clearing house access to account facilities
Including CCPs in the Eurosystem may remove the need for them to seek a banking licence
Fed makes surprise rate cut
Move against coronavirus marks largest rate change since the 2008 financial crisis
BIS research finds 20% drop in active correspondent banks
Retreat from correspondent banking could drive people into “unregulated channels”, authors warn
Above-target inflation ‘essential’ for dual mandate – Chicago Fed’s Evans
Evans is second senior Fed official to back new inflation-targeting approach in recent weeks
G7 leaders avoid committing to co-ordinated virus response
Central bankers and finance ministers “stand ready”; Carney says BoE has launched contingency measures
Eurozone inflation falls to 1.2% in February
Lower energy prices were the main factor behind the decline, core inflation edged slightly higher
Asia-Pacific central banks act to cushion coronavirus shock
RBA and Bank Negara Malaysia cut rates; Bank Indonesia steps in to support markets
Trump urges Fed to act on coronavirus
Fed should “cut rate big” and follow moves made by other central banks, Trump says
Inflation targets back in the spotlight
Monetary policy can do little to offset the impact of Covid-19
Knot warns of drawbacks of negative rates
Consumers are increasing their savings rather than their consumption
Chinese banks probably concealing NPLs – Finnish paper
“Hidden NPLs” particularly common in large and well-capitalised banks, researcher argues
Major central banks ready to respond to coronavirus
Fed, ECB and Bank of Japan say they are willing to act; central bank events disrupted
Canadian mortgage tweaks may add to housing imbalances – economists
Government’s policy change likely to lower qualifying hurdle for mortgages in the near term
Ghana’s Addison on banking reform, innovation and the future of the eco
The Bank of Ghana governor speaks about the next steps in banking reform and why West Africa may need more time to start using a common currency