Accountability
Book notes: The power and independence of the Federal Reserve, by Peter Conti-Brown
Conti-Brown offers a call to action to fix the legitimacy of the Federal Reserve System, which is looking increasingly dated
ECB voices concerns over Hungarian National Bank
ECB expresses concern over recent actions by Hungary’s central bank, including purchase of art, land and Budapest stock exchange; says foundation money must not be used for state financing
Hungarian constitutional court strikes down central bank law
Hungary’s two highest courts rule that a law limiting the disclosure of information on central bank assets is unlawful and unconstitutional
Bangladesh governor resigns over theft
Atiur Rahman has resigned after $101 million was stolen from the central bank’s account at the New York Fed; finance minister announces Fazle Kabir as successor
Zeti stresses need to protect independence when central banks get broad mandates
Central banks in emerging economies often find themselves tackling difficult reforms as they are best equipped for the challenge, she says, but this can only work if certain conditions hold
President refuses to sign Hungary central bank law
Hungary’s president has referred a law on the governance of the country’s central bank to the constitutional court; critics allege law would greatly reduce scrutiny of central bank’s funds
Irish central bank begins publishing commission minutes
Ireland’s central bank starts publishing minutes from commission meetings; oversight body’s minutes will be released ‘to provide greater understanding’ of internal debates
Lane reveals string of transparency initiatives in first speech as Irish governor
Central Bank of Ireland discloses new details on salary structures as governor Lane reveals new minutes, reviews and website
FCA officials grilled on second comms backlash
MPs accuse FCA of failing to recognise perceived importance of dropped bank culture review, leading to strong public backlash; chief executive says approach to communication will be reassessed
Market survey suggests Bank of Lithuania is a transparent supervisor
A survey of Lithuania’s financial market participants conducted on behalf of the central bank has found large majorities of respondents approving of the bank’s transparency and clarity as supervisor
Argentine governor resigns following criticism by new president
The governor of the Central Bank of Argentina resigns ahead of the inauguration of Mauricio Macri as president; likely to be succeeded by nominee Federico Sturzenegger