Central Banks
Ghanaian deputy becomes new governor
One of two deputy governors of the Bank of Ghana takes over top role; Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku joined bank in July 2013 after working for several international agencies
Investors to sue Portuguese central bank over asset writedown
A group of bondholders in a failed bank are bringing a lawsuit against the Portuguese central bank over its writedown of their holdings in a failed commercial bank
Coen looks to wider issues affecting bank resilience
Secretary general of Basel Committee highlights importance of corporate governance and culture, IT systems and stress tests for resilience and profitability
Australian inflation likely to remain low for next two years, governor says
"Accommodative" monetary policy appropriate as GDP picks up, Glenn Steven says
People: Bank of Estonia reappoints deputies; Lagarde wants to reappoint IMF first deputy
Bank of Estonia hands new terms to Ülo Kaasik and Madis Müller; David Lipton in line for reappointment at IMF; Graeme Wheeler to head up BIS Asian Consultative Council; and more
Fiji central bank will launch second financial inclusion strategy ‘shortly’
Second financial inclusion strategy to place “special emphasis” on insurance; governor praises success of first scheme in meeting targets, but 27% of population remains unbanked
Seychelles central bank will chair new financial stability committee
Advisory body will comprise representatives from four different public bodies and meet on a quarterly basis; supported by new financial stability unit within central bank
Reserve Bank of India modifies liquidity framework
Rajan spells out plans to “progressively lower” the liquidity deficit in the banking system as part of a broader shift in focus; RBI cuts policy rate by 25bp with inflation on track
Bank of Thailand frets over zero lower bound
Minutes show latest policy decision influenced by worries over financial imbalances and perceived need to maintain “policy space” in event of economic hit
West African union must improve monetary transmission, IMF staff say
The West African Economic and Monetary Union must increase the effectiveness of monetary policy, IMF staff say; reforms should target bank refinancing and government securities markets
Dutch central bank starts retaining €500m yearly as risk provision
The Netherlands Bank plans to retain €3bn of profits in six annual instalments to cover against possible credit and interest rate risk
ECB had to act to forestall fall in inflation expectations, Praet says
The ECB had to expand its unconventional monetary policy to prevent a downward shift in long-term eurozone inflation expectations, Peter Praet says; inaction of others “no excuse”
Israel must close productivity gap, Flug says
Bank of Israel governor calls on government to work on closing gap with advanced economies, which could boost living standards by a third, she says
Norway’s Olsen plans to seek reappointment
Norges Bank governor says he plans to seek a second term, as government launches public application process for position
Malaysian deputy tells companies to provide ‘more than just a payment solution’
Muhammad bin Ibrahim stresses importance of financial institutions providing “value-added services” to their customers if they are to remain competitive