Central Banks
Tariffs will raise US prices throughout 2025 – Fed governor
Kugler says progress on core goods inflation has been reversed and trade policy could make things worse
Inflationary shocks hurt US labour market and output – Fed study
As real wages decline, workers search for new, less economically productive jobs, research finds
Moderate US bank stress could lead to global contagion – report
IMF study cites SVB’s collapse, which reverberated across world by pushing up US sovereign credit risk
RBI cuts rate by 50bp to 5.5%
Bank continues to loosen policy amid cooling inflation and global uncertainty
Brazil to enable recurring payment feature for Pix
BCB’s payment system will launch new function on June 16 after delay
Working group minutes: central banks seek cash cycle efficiencies
Some EME institutions are restructuring operations and promoting digital payment methods
Most RTGS systems projected for upgrade within a year
Two in three RTGSs operating 13–16 hours daily to be upgraded within a year
Book notes: The measure of progress: counting what really matters, by Diane Coyle
The book offers important insights into national income data compilation that are frequently ignored by economists
European Central Bank reduces rates by 25bp
Lagarde hints at pause in next meeting, dispels rumours about early departure
Credit lines help firms absorb tariff shocks – BIS bulletin
Banks can stabilise economy during crises by offering on-demand liquidity, researchers say
Central bank gold buying slows in April
World Gold Council says higher prices may be behind reduced interest
ECB greenlights Bulgaria’s accession to eurozone
Politicians show cautious optimism as Bulgarian central bank governor lays out next steps
Central banks value tokenisation for efficiency and security
Respondents see less value in crypto or stablecoin payments
Chance of US recession lower, but still high – NY Fed study
Authors say model puts chances at 75%, compared with 83% at beginning of 2024
People: April to June 2025
A round-up of central bankers in the news and on the move during the past three months
Jobs, not prices, are main reason for dissent on FOMC – study
Votes show unemployment in presidents’ districts is of greater concern to them than inflation
Palestine launches zero interest-rate loan scheme
Monetary authority announces $10m of support for small businesses in Gaza and West Bank
Trump’s trade policy a ‘wildcard’, says Bostic
Atlanta Fed president says tariffs picture is “unsettled” and calls for patience on monetary policy
BoK paper links real interest rate to demographic shift
Higher life expectancy and lower birth rate exert downward pressure on rates, researchers find