Central Banks
Riksbank’s new approach to nowcasting reviewed
Article in Economic Review evaluates the forecasting performance of a dynamic factor model adopted by Sweden's central bank, finding it a useful addition to its suite of tools
Olsen: Norway needs lower labour costs
Norges Bank governor Øystein Olsen argues labour costs must be brought into line with those of Norway’s trading partners to support a rebalancing of the economy away from oil
PBoC moves to spur property demand
Lower down-payments for second homes will 'improve demand' in oversupplied housing market, central bank says, but analysts warn scheme could backfire
BoE and ECB strike deal on CCP cooperation
Central banks agree to information exchange and provision of cross-border liquidity in a crisis as the UK government drops two outstanding cases against the ECB
IMF report urges review of euro timeline in Romania
Staff fear convergence could take longer than expected; encourage the transition to a ‘full-fledged’ inflation targeting regime at the central bank
Yellen sees potential benefits in ‘tight’ labour market
Fed chair Janet Yellen says allowing unemployment to fall below its longer-run level for a short time could help return inflation to target quicker and boost productivity
Op risk analysis underrates human behaviour – Fed examiner
Next-generation operational risk should focus on behavioural dynamics in financial firms
Bank of Korea torn between debt and demand
The central bank in Asia's fourth biggest economy is grappling with how to set policy when the country carries a private debt burden that could increase in size no matter the strategy
SNB’s Zurbrügg: negative rates having ‘desired effect’
Governing board member says negative interest rates are influencing the money and capital markets as intended, noting the exchange rate has also started to normalise since the January decision
BoE stress tests to gauge deflation impact
Stress-test scenario revamped for 2015 to take account of the effects of falling prices on the banking system, while adding a leverage ratio threshold and greater focus on global risks
Counterfeiting rate ‘extremely low’ for Canadian polymer notes
Bank of Canada’s polymer series now comprises 75% of the banknotes in circulation, and is subject to a counterfeiting rate of just 0.56 parts per million
Central Bank of Iceland hails successful year
Annual report for 2014 shows inflation fell, central bank introduced prudential measures in preparation for capital account liberalisation, and profits returned to positive figures
Haldane studies finance through lens of ‘complexity theory’
BoE chief economist sets out thesis in favour of viewing finance as a layered ‘system of systems’, with implications for the way risks are identified and managed
Risks in commercial property have fallen, RBNZ research finds
Article in latest RBNZ bulletin finds less leverage is being used to fund new purchases and developments, while market is showing signs of a ‘robust’ recovery
China overlooks own foreign investment cap
Hong Kong firm granted $1.2bn QFII quota, above the $1bn cap set in 2009, as world's second-biggest economy takes symbolic step towards opening up capital account
South African MPC member named deputy governor
Adviser to governor and MPC member Kuben Naidoo will assume post on April 1; central bank kept benchmark rate unchanged yesterday despite ‘deterioration’ in inflation outlook
Fischer sets sights on shadow banks
Fed vice-chair says US regulators must do more to regulate non-banks, including improvements to wholesale funding, better data and regulation that evolves at the same pace as the industry
UK’s Tyrie says ‘wider problems’ need fixing at FCA
Damning report by UK’s Treasury Committee says financial watchdog must do more to correct failures brought to light during a communications debacle in March 2014
FSB adds new emerging market members
Five new institutions join Financial Stability Board as part of efforts to improve emerging market representation; Glenn Stevens takes over as standing committee chair from Agustín Carstens
Carney: BoE ‘nowhere near’ exhausting macropru tools
Governor says Bank of England has ‘some way to run’ in terms of both the number of tools and options for calibration; debates debt levels on panel at Bundesbank conference
NY Fed wants ‘enhanced communication’ around cyber threats
Sarah Dahlgren says the New York Fed is interested in learning from breaches in security elsewhere and using the intelligence to ‘get ahead of the game’
Poloz: volatility not a reflection of central bank credibility
Canadian governor – greater volatility is a ‘natural reaction’ to central banks gearing up to normalise monetary policy; highlights cost of using forward guidance