Central Banks
Japan shows signs of inflation rebound
Inflation creeps back into positive territory after hitting zero in February, as research by the Bank of Japan suggests inflation may have moved to a new, higher trend
Argentina cabinet chief rejects analysis in IMF report
Argentina needs ‘tighter macroeconomic policies, a weaker exchange rate and less microeconomic distortion,’ argues IMF outlook; cabinet chief dismisses analysis
BIS’s Caruana wants monetary policy to tackle stability and 'spillbacks'
The international monetary and financial system would be a lot safer if central banks set monetary policy with an eye on financial stability and cross-border impacts, BIS general manager says
Fed’s Mester calls for more work on monetary policy and financial stability nexus
Loretta Mester sets out three priorities for research on the consumer credit markets in the United States at conference in Philadelphia
IMF encourages Tonga to adopt ‘reference rate’ for inflation
IMF recommends the National Reserve Bank of Tonga adopt a reference rate of 3.5%; central bank says it needs to analyse the appropriate level before making the jump
Czech director: US dollar helps compensate for impact of oil prices on CEE countries
Luboš Komárek discusses the outlook for Central and Eastern European countries, including the favourable outlook for Germany, which is a "crucial trade partner" for many in the region
Romanian governor calls for adjustments before joining ERM II
Mugur Isărescu says aim of adopting euro in January 2019 is ‘highly ambitious’ on account of the reforms necessary to ensure sustainable convergence
Impact of Fed’s QE often larger in EMs than US, research finds
IMF working paper examines cross-border effects of unconventional monetary policy in the United States using a global vector error-correction model
Chilean paper analyses ‘labour wedge’ cycles
The gap between the marginal rate of substitution (MRS) and the marginal productivity of labour (MPL) increases during recessions and is counter-cyclical in Chile, finds research
MAS designates seven domestic systemically important banks
The Monetary Authority of Singapore has identified seven systemically important domestic banks, which will have to locally incorporate their retail operations and meet higher capital requirements
Smaller China banks opt for internal credit risk modelling
Regulation and a rise in bad loans drive small and medium-sized banks to reassess their approach to credit risk management
Longer-term inflation expectations pick up in eurozone
In its latest economic bulletin the European Central Bank shows how some measures of expectations, including the five-year inflation-linked swap rate five years ahead, are recovering
Central Bank of Timor-Leste launches e-payments network
The ‘highly secure private interbank data network’ allows electronic payments to be made and received between any individuals or companies on the same day
BIS economists say investor behaviour key to understanding EM challenges
Hyun Song Shin and Philip Turner consider implications of shift in financial intermediation for emerging markets; part of wider Banque de France review on the subject
Bank of Japan cuts inflation forecast
BoJ retains asset purchases at current levels and says underlying inflation is rising steadily; expects to hit target in second half of 2016
Bank of Spain remodels in light of SSM
Executive commission approves a new structure for bank resolution and regulation, as well as changes to the central bank’s cash management functions
Bank of Portugal initiated administrative proceedings against 25 banks in 2014
Bank of Portugal also concluded 27 administrative offence proceedings during last year, applying fines worth around €0.5 million
IMF paper analyses Islamic banking impact on economic growth
Islamic banking is ‘more flexible against shocks and more inclusive with regards to growth’, finds an IMF working paper
Norway’s oil fund boosted by market rally and weak krone
Fund returns 5.3% in the first quarter, a new record in krone terms, led by strong equity returns and weak currency; fund continues to use clout to encourage ethical decisions by firms
Bank of Mexico delivers $2 billion surplus to the government
The 12.4% depreciation of the peso against the dollar in 2014 had a positive impact on the Bank of Mexico reserves, allowing the central bank to deliver a $2 billion surplus to the government
Riksbank ramps up QE
Asset purchase programme doubled but unexpected rate hold sees krona move higher; Riksbank highlights both signs of recovery and rising financial stability risks in new monetary policy report