Central Banks
Hungarian central bank delays introduction of capital buffers
Move taken “to support lending” as banks sell off portfolios of “problem loans”
Japanese survey throws light on financial education problem
First large-scale study of financial literacy shows many people have poor understanding, contributing to higher loss aversion, herding behaviour and other problems
BIS paper adds evidence on macro-prudential spillovers
Tighter macro-prudential measures in one country tend to increase international lending, authors find
Public sector balance sheet poses risks for Dominican Republic – paper
IMF working paper analyses balance sheet developments in the South American nation’s economy; foreign currency exposure could amplify risks, authors say
Central Bank of Iceland gains new powers as more controls lift
Central bank given new powers over information gathering as legislation establishes next phase of capital control liberalisation
Philippines central bank adopts renminbi as reserve asset
Central bank joins a cohort of countries adopting the Chinese currency as a standalone asset; governor says it is an important development for a nation so dependent on Chinese trade
Financial regulation courses should look more at liabilities – Tarullo
Fed board member suggests courses should be based around a “point of reference”
Pressure in the Danish labour market becoming ‘more evident’
All spare resources in the labour market have already been used, report says; employment has risen by 105,000 people from Q4 2012 to Q2 2016
‘Hard’ law not enough to reform banking culture, says BoE’s Shafik
Market participants must do their bit to reform behaviour and culture in the financial services industry with ‘soft’ law playing a broader role, says BoE deputy
Bahamas makes $200,000 donation in wake of Hurricane Matthew
Central Bank of the Bahamas contribution of $200,000 to relief effort is in addition to typical policy responses; $50,000 being donated to relief efforts in Haiti
Bank of Uganda takes control of large commercial bank
Ugandan central bank takes over the management of Crane Bank, the commercial bank; clarification issued over use of governor’s signature
Systemically important investment firms should come under CRR and CRD-IV, EBA says
European Banking Authority calls on regulators to re-examine guidelines for identifying most important investment firms
Ukrainian central bank says proposed law is attack on its independence
Passing law could lead to a cut-off of IMF aid, the central bank warns; calls on country’s president to repudiate law-makers
Book notes: The curse of cash, by Kenneth S Rogoff
A well-written book and sincerely argued, but it is based on weak economic analysis and inadequate economic and political history
Draghi postpones decision on extension of QE
ECB president is aiming to build governing council support for further asset purchases, one analyst argues
‘Strong’ correlation between leverage and financial connectivity – paper
Irish paper shows interconnected banks experience 'sharper contractions' in lending when faced with a shock; findings could have consequences for Basel III
Brazil makes first interest rate cut in four years
Upbeat inflation figures prompt Central Bank of Brazil into action as Copom unanimously votes for 25bp cut; post-decision statement implies further cuts possible this year
Bank of Canada considered adding monetary stimulus, says governor
Balance of risk still within zone of current 'appropriate' policy, says Canadian governor; uncertainties surrounding exports and mortgage rules may be 'temporary' he says
Lack of diversity is holding Fed back, says San Francisco president
Diversity critics have given the central bank the “kick in the pants” that was needed, said Williams, whose Fed branch is already making institutional changes to foster diversity
Sarb governor underlines bank’s operational independence
The government cannot ‘dictate’ interest rate policy, governor Kganyago says, emphasising the South African Reserve Bank can implement ‘appropriate policy’ without political interference