Central Banks
Morocco introduces a more flexible exchange rate
The central bank introduces a daily band of 5% for the dirham to trade against major currencies
Economists need to better understand macrofinancial links – BIS paper
Stijn Claessens and Ayhan Kose call for “new generation of models” among other research to solve ongoing puzzles
Banking ‘deserts’ do not explain financial exclusion – NY Fed economists
Data shows absence of nearby banks fails to explain “unbanked” share of the population
Combined nowcasts can improve GDP estimates – paper
Paper compares performance of nowcast models in estimating GDP from 2016–2015
Home truths on Europe’s NPLs
Europe needs to overcome fears of a hypothetical crisis, and impose more intrusive supervision and greater provisioning on its banks
Gontareva accused of complicity in money laundering
Ex-governor denies she improperly helped former president Yanukovych
Minneapolis Fed launches too-big-to-fail plan
The four-step plan proposes stricter capitalisation rules for big banks and looser regulation for smaller institutions
Peruvian central bank cuts rates amid political crisis
Economy impacted by political crisis following the pardon of former president Alberto Fujimori
Dudley warns Trump tax plan leaves US finances ‘unsustainable’
New York Fed chief says policymakers may have to tighten rates harder to offset stimulus
Policymakers should increase credit to ‘single-bank firms’ – paper
Researchers examine “unique natural experiment” of 2012 change to ECB’s QE policies
Sri Lankan central bank launches sweeping reforms in wake of bond scandal
Central bank tightens controls on debt management and pension fund trading after investigation uncovers malpractice
BIS paper explores effects of global factors on inflation
Authors find impact of global factors is mainly temporary, but the effects appear more significant for countries without long-established inflation targets
HKMA launches consultation on open API framework
Open API enables personalised services for bank users but requires access to customer data
NBIM eyes private equity investment in potential shake-up
Letter to finance ministry says the fund’s structure and goals make unlisted equities a wise investment, but acknowledges a 4% cap would be sensible
Central bank projections of target variables most influential - paper
Paper examines the impact of central bank forecasts and forward guidance on private sector projections, concluding most firms use them primarily as monetary policy indicators
ECB policymakers see a robust economic recovery – minutes
Rate setters satisfied with the impact of the QE extension decided in October
Higher inflation in Norway supports tighter outlook
Norges Bank brings forward its first planned rate hike to late 2018
BoJ’s cut to bond purchases not an exit strategy, say analysts
Move was unexpected, but analysts do not see it as a sign the BoJ may be preparing to exit its stimulus programmme
Fed economists tackle question of optimal balance sheet size
Cutting balance sheet would significantly reduce interest rate risk, economists find, as Fed acknowledges lower profits due to interest payments