Central Banks
RBNZ signals action ‘likely’ amid New Zealand dollar strength
Stronger than anticipated NZ dollar threatens ability to hit inflation target, RBNZ says; announcement triggers drop in currency
MAS announces ‘firm regulatory actions’ against multiple banks
Monetary Authority of Singapore finds “control failings” at DBS, Standard Chartered and UBS as part of probe into 1MDB funds; US Department of Justice seeking to recover $1bn in assets
‘Digital sterling’ could bring benefits but would reshape banking – BoE’s Broadbent
Bank of England deputy says central bank digital currency could entail a redesign of the banking system; research points to potential growth and stability benefits
RBI deputy praises Indian payment and settlement systems
R Gandhi notes the ever-increasing volume handled by state-of-the-art systems, but stresses the need to ensure they are safe and “result in overall efficiencies”
Monetary policy in Sweden needs to remain expansionary, Riksbank board says
Bank’s inflation forecasts are "sensitive" to international factors; executive board notes strengthening of economic activity
Growth risks push Mauritius MPC to cut by 40bp
Central bank cuts interest rates to 4%, amid risks arising from Brexit and potential volatility from US elections; reducing rate will support investment and encourage growth, says bank
Money illusion may not be irrational – BIS paper
Claudio Borio and Anna Zabai suggest people’s attachment to a unit of account is not simply a failure to think in real terms, with implications for the effectiveness of negative rates
Andrew Bailey wants well understood FCA mission
The Financial Conduct Authority has statutory objectives and publishes an annual business plan, but there is “not a lot in between”, he says; new chief wants to run the institution “effectively and tightly”
BoE agents see firms aiming for ‘business as usual’ in wake of Brexit
Agents’ post-Brexit review shows housing market resilience while there are reports of some firms look to relocate back to the UK in wake of sterling depreciation; IMF updates forecasts
Slovenian bail-in was legal, ECJ rules
Decision to wipe out some subordinated debt before recapitalising Slovenian banks in 2013 was challenged, but court finds it is compatible with EU law
Mortgage interest tax deduction can increase market volatility – DNB paper
Making interest payments on housing loans tax-deductible can raise the debt levels of households and their chances of default, and increase housing market volatility in response to outside shocks
FSB calls for more progress on risk-free reference rates
The FSB says authorities have made progress towards reforming reference rate methodologies, but says they must continue to develop alternatives to the existing main reference rates
IMF’s Lipton argues for greater economic inclusion in South Africa
David Lipton urges reforms to remedy the fact that one-third of the working population is “effectively excluded” from the economy; suggests policies to build confidence and lift growth
Beyond banking: ESRB wants wider macro-prudential toolkit
European Systemic Risk Board argues for providing policy-makers with macro-prudential instruments extending to all forms of credit; lays out specific short- and long-term actions
BoE’s Woods sees merit in multiple policy committees
New deputy governor believes MPC and FPC should remain separate; BoE has to make sure each committee is aware of the impact of their actions on other committees, he says
Temporary price changes affecting inflation more – BoJ paper
Working paper explores how frequent micro-level price changes can be reconciled with macro-price stickiness; temporary price changes happening more, and increasingly in one direction, authors say
Tighter mortgage lending rules proposed in New Zealand
Central bank looks to crack down on investor lending with high loan-to-value ratios, while tightening the rules for most loans to owner-occupiers; new tools also on the table
EBA proposes new templates for AT1 issues
EBA releases draft templates for future issuance of Additional Tier 1 capital instruments, highlighting provisions it ‘would recommend avoiding’
Nepal Rastra Bank pushing banks to focus on rural areas – governor
Inclusion is a key part of Nepal’s five-year financial development plan, Chiranjibi Nepal says, and the central bank has plans to encourage banks to spread from urban to rural areas
Turkish central bank steps in to calm markets in wake of coup attempt
Central bank promises banks unlimited liquidity as failed coup sends shockwaves through markets; economists say banking sector is holding up so far but has some vulnerabilities
Bank of Italy sees Brexit having little impact on country
Commercial and financial links between Britain and Italy are much more limited than other European countries, argues the Bank of Italy in its latest economic bulletin
People: Uzbekistan appoints new deputy; Ahmed retiring from IMF
Shohruh Shoahmedov promoted to deputy chairman; IMF’s Masood Ahmed announces retirement; BoE’s Paul Fisher to chair London Bullion Market Association
Bank of Israel opens payment protocol to smaller players
Central bank removes obstacle to new firms looking to enter payments market; also working on ‘payment systems directive’ based on European model and new access standards