Central Banks
Governors of smaller central banks earn slightly below global average
But governors’ salaries remain above $200,000 a year
BoJ holds as Middle East conflict threatens higher inflation
Ueda says Japanese firms could pass on costs ‘more aggressively’ than after start of Ukraine war
Fed holds amid uncertainty over oil shock and tariffs
Powell pledges to stay on as interim chair if Warsh’s nomination is not confirmed in Senate
Canada holds rates amid potential energy shock and jobs downturn
Governor Macklem says sustained higher prices would warrant monetary response
Iceland hikes rates by 25bp
Inflation continues to rise as central bank aims to pre-empt effects of energy shock
UAE launches support programme for country’s banks
Central bank releases capital buffers and provides capital rule relief to help lenders during conflict
European governors serve longest average term length
Central bank governors rarely appointed for one term or 3+ terms
Indonesia holds rates and adjusts FX rules to stabilise rupiah
BI says Middle East conflict provides greater reason for fiscal-monetary policy co-ordination
Australia hikes rates to combat inflation
RBA says price rises are result of capacity pressures, and persistent oil rally may worsen situation
One-fifth of central banks say governing laws are inappropriate
Government still sets salaries at one-tenth of jurisdictions
Fed watchers welcome court ruling on Powell
However, expert says DoJ’s appeal against decision could thwart Warsh’s confirmation as Fed chair
BIS urges central banks to look through energy price surge
Oil and gas prices up 40% and 60% respectively since Middle East conflict began
ECB says AI risk monitoring should not be a one-way street
Bank wants to exchange information on lenders’ AI model risks with market surveillance supervisors
Hélène Rey to head BIS monetary and economic department
Scholar of international monetary system will replace Hyun Song Shin later this year
One in five smaller central banks lacks fining powers
Respondents still widely manage FX reserves and act as lender of last resort
RBNZ responds to lenders’ concerns over cash proposal
Bank acknowledges industry view that prior consultation was lacking
HKMA deputy says credit risks to remain ‘complex’ in 2026
Yuen notes continued pressure on Hong Kong’s commercial real estate market
Peru’s central bank holds rates as inflation picks up
BCRP says bad weather, domestic gas shock and fallout from Middle East conflict will push up prices
Bundesbank gives up on renovating old headquarters
Bank to buy new HQ as renovation and maintenance would have cost too much
Fed’s Bowman outlines imminent changes to US capital rules
Overall framework to remain more robust than previous version, but will aim to eliminate overlaps
BoE takes a walk on the wild side with banknote designs
Public votes to replace historical figures with wildlife, but plans incur backlash from some quarters
More progress needed on cross-border payments – Bailey
BoE governor says G20’s targets for 2027 are unlikely to be met
External events are harming Vietnam’s economy, says SBV
Deputy director for monetary policy cites Iran conflict and other central banks’ ‘unpredictable’ paths
NBU tells banks to avoid Hungary after cash and gold heist
Hungarian government official explicitly ties asset seizure to dispute over stricken oil pipeline