Central Banks
Yellen: volatile global outlook calls for gradual hikes
Fed chair soothes market concerns over pace of rate rises, highlighting importance of low rates in offsetting troubles abroad and saying rates will rise more slowly than previously indicated
Eurozone monetary policies ‘virtually exhausted’, Dutch central bank head says
Eurozone monetary policy is “virtually exhausted”, Dutch central bank head warns; structural reforms are needed to restore growth rates
BoE moves to tighten buy-to-let standards as risks rise
Review of buy-to-let lending finds some firms may be relying on weaker underwriting standards than others; FPC warns UK financial stability outlook has worsened since last meeting
ECB clarifies national supervisory discretions
European Central Bank publishes a guide and regulation aimed at harmonising supervision of major banks within the eurozone
BoE toughens 2016 stress tests
GDP growth to hit a trough at -1.9%, unemployment to rise 4.5 percentage points and the level of GDP to fall by 4.3% in latest BoE stress tests; higher capital hurdles also mandated
Reformed IMF could strengthen global safety net – paper
Improving the International Monetary Fund may require revised toolkit; global financial safety net is failing in many regards, and needs reform, IMF policy paper says
Mauritius has gone ‘terribly wrong’ with respect to human capital, central bank governor says
Quality of human capital does not met the standard required to meet the disruptive challenges now facing Mauritius, governor Roi stresses
Rajan and Mishra lay down rules of the monetary game
Authors warn current models may display the policy biases of those who built them, calling for better dialogue and analysis of monetary policy spillovers
PBoC sets up renminbi internationalisation research centre in Singapore
The new Centre for Renminbi Internationalisation Studies (CRIS), launched today in Beijing, is a prestige victory for Singapore as it aims to position itself as a leading international RMB hub
Central banks struggle to manage price expectations
Large central banks have responded aggressively to falling levels of inflation and inflation expectations, but with divided and limited success. What can policy-makers do to restore confidence?
Turkish central bank narrows rate corridor with cut
Central bank begins process of narrowing rate corridor in last meeting of Erdem Başçı’s term, though it keeps the policy rate on hold
Some analysts see stress tests losing effectiveness – Stournaras
Greek central bank governor raises questions over perception of stress tests; regulators’ models need to take more account of national differences, he argues
Basel Committee restricts bank options for internal modelling
Banks will no longer be able to use the internal ratings-based approach for certain portfolios, and will face restrictions in other areas, under proposed rules
RBNZ proposes new powers over FMIs in times of crisis
Final crisis management plan proposal details two-tiered framework for FMIs; RBNZ and FMA would act if contingency plans not up to scratch
European Central Bank outlines three models underpinning macro-prudential analysis
First biannual macro-prudential bulletin lays out details of three key models, dealing with capital requirements, household finances and bank vulnerabilities
Singapore official points to benefits big data offers insurers
Insurers can gain a competitive edge by harnessing insights from big data when designing products, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Chua Kim Leng says