Central Banks
UK’s PRA gives small bank managers an easier ride
Prudential Regulation Authority finalises first phase of Senior Managers’ Regime, giving some concessions to small firms; more rules set to follow later this year
ECB closely watching impact of QE on financial stability
Mario Draghi tells Econ committee the central bank is aware of the potential for QE to inflate asset prices and invite excessive risk taking, but risks are ‘contained’ at present
People: Dallas Fed names interim president; Ukraine adds deputy governor
Helen Holcomb holds the fort at Dallas Fed after Richard Fisher retires; National Bank of Ukraine appoints another acting deputy governor; Cleveland Fed names new research head; and more
PBoC governor hints at capital account liberalisation this year
Zhou Xiaochuan says it will be ‘more convenient not only for enterprises but also for individuals at home and abroad to invest' during panel discussion with IMF's Lagarde in Beijing
Central banks told to handle financial inclusion with care
Greater inclusion benefits the poor but could damage monetary policy or financial stability if it is not kept under control, BIS research and IMF officials warn
Kuroda says QQE bringing ‘landmark’ changes to Japan
BoJ governor sets out evidence that extraordinary monetary easing is bearing fruit, with inflation expectations rising and workers demanding higher wages
Lockhart backs ‘selective’ regulation of shadow banks
Atlanta Fed president argues for US authorities to ‘variably monitor and supervise’ all institutions with implications for financial stability, regardless of whether they are shadow banks
ECB forecasts ‘gradual’ increase in US inflation
Economic bulletin published by ECB agrees with FOMC that inflation will increase gradually as labour market conditions improve and impact of low oil prices and high dollar fades
RBA research suggests options for IMF to overcome governance issues
Analysis of constraints on IMF actions suggests seeking backup from other international organisations could add to political clout, but quota reform remains a problem
EBA proposes curbs on shadow bank exposures
Financial institutions will be expected to set their own limits, except in cases where information or internal processes are lacking; ‘fallback’ option may need adjusting, EBA admits
Hellwig and Wolf question efficacy of financial reforms
Martin Hellwig and Martin Wolf discuss flaws in financial reforms aimed at breaking the sovereign-bank linkage in book on country and political risk
Stevens says RBA has discussed further easing
Australian governor says central bank is trying to manage difficult mix of low inflation and rising asset prices against longer-term backdrop of falling terms of trade
Haldane warns expectations could drag down wages
Lower inflation expectations putting downward pressure on wages, and could contribute to greater persistence of low or falling inflation, BoE chief economist says
People: BoE appoints general counsel; Chicago Booth professor joins Slovakian board
Sonya Branch takes up top legal role at BoE; National Bank of Slovakia board now five-strong; Bank Negara Malaysia appoints debt resolution committee chairman; and more
ECB paper emphasises importance of time horizons for early-warning models
Working paper finds the selection of a particular time horizon can have ‘considerable implications’ for the performance of economic variables in predicting bank crises
Third TLTRO sees extra €98 billion borrowed from ECB
Latest allocation of cheap loans pushes total amount borrowed to €310 billion; measures aimed at repairing transmission mechanism and encouraging loans to real economy
Danish annual report highlights move into equities
National Bank of Denmark implemented new investment strategy in 2014, adding riskier assets including equities and lower-rated government bonds to reserves
Fed keeps options open as countdown to lift-off begins
FOMC drops the reference to being ‘patient’ before normalising policy, signalling a rate hike could arrive as early as June, but tempers expectations with more cautious economic assessment
SNB balance sheet could not have coped with peg defence, says Jordan
Chairman says decision to abandon Swiss franc ceiling avoided huge losses and monetary policy impairment; central bank slashes inflation forecast but does not follow Riksbank’s rate cut
New Australian banknotes to feature 'embossed bumps'
RBA to become second central bank to emboss polymer banknotes with 'bumps', making it easier to feel the difference between denominations