Central Banks
PBoC issues second warning to bitcoin exchanges
Nine platforms told to enforce AML and forex regulation if they are to continue operating within China; bitcoin price holds firm against news
UK’s PRA fines Japanese banking group for withholding information
Two arms of banking giant MUFG fall “significantly short” of regulators’ expectations, resulting in fines totalling £26.8m
Monetary aggregates useful as eurozone inflation predictor – paper
“Predictive content” of monetary aggregates has improved since 2012, ECB paper says
Esma sets out risks and benefits of DLT
Market participants should reach “clear decision” on use of technology, watchdog says
IMF gives thumbs up to Indonesia’s new monetary operating framework
Interest rate corridor and switch to new policy rate has improved monetary policy transmission, early data shows, but further reforms could strengthen framework further
RBI highlights bad debts as it holds rates
Surprise hold as committee sees “very sticky” core prices and global effects; central bank may create a ‘bad bank’ to tackle NPA problem
BIS paper tracks US and eurozone QE spillovers
Shadow rates approach helps authors show US QE spilled across borders more strongly, though impact differed between countries
Bank of Russia sets up two new regulatory departments
Responsibilities include administration regimes, managers’ qualifications and external audit
BoE’s Cunliffe sheds light on investment issues
One in five firms report constraints on credit access reduced investment, BoE deputy says, while restrictions on internal fund usage have worsened the problem
Philippines central bank enforces virtual currency regulation
Exchanges will have to apply for certificate of registration and implement specific risk management framework; central bank imposes transaction limit
Consumption shows asymmetric response to shocks – BoE paper
Households appear to respond more strongly to temporary negative shocks than positive ones, and effects are different for borrowers and savers
Staff incentive schemes lead to bad deals for consumers – paper
Colombian paper examines the effect of bank incentive schemes on consumers; transparency index reveals staff often do not disclose information about the price of financial products
ZLB magnifies impacts of uncertainty shocks, paper says
Differences caused by zero lower bound are “economically important”, researchers say
Ukrainian central bank protests over senior official's arrest
Move comes amid political attacks on NBU governor Gontareva
Fed paper flags risk of low rates misallocating capital
Where firms rely heavily on intangible capital, lower rates could harm firms’ investment and contribute to secular stagnation, economists warn
Future of Greek austerity divides IMF board
Some directors dissent from call to reduce mid-term primary surplus target
Graeme Wheeler to stand down this year
RBNZ governor will not seek a second term; deputy to take interim role as succession process complicated by elections
Angola disregards IMF advice on exchange rate overhaul
Angolan authorities disagree with IMF over suggested exchange rate framework changes but agree to a banking sector clean-up
Banque de France paper models ‘pandemic’ impact of shocks
Researchers build on other recent models of financial markets
Some credit unions don’t vet senior staff – Irish central bank
“Fitness and probity” requirements are not being followed by all unions, the report says
Mongolia sees hope of recovery after rough year
The commodity reliant country faced slowing growth and inflation in 2016, but the outlook for this year is somewhat brighter
Draghi: eurozone ‘bad bank’ would not be ‘panacea’ for NPLs
ECB president also rejects criticisms made by the US president’s trade adviser
Capital account management could prevent ‘commodity curse’, BIS paper shows
Authors suggest options for small open economies dealing with commodity booms; solutions could prevent reductions in welfare and support the tradable sector