News
QE3 prospects diminish slightly after FOMC minutes release
FOMC minutes provoke fresh questions as to likelihood of further QE; Fed board members cautious on growth prospects
House of Lords committee slams Europe’s proposed Tobin tax
A committee of UK lawmakers hits out at European Commission proposal to introduce a new financial transaction tax in the European Union
Draghi places emphasis on governments to drive EU growth
ECB president says national policy-makers must take measures to develop the competitiveness of their economies; downside risks prevalent for euro economy
SIG to keep an open mind on RWA probe, says Himino
The Basel Committee’s standards implementation group has begun an investigation into RWA consistency, but chair Ryozo Himino says there might be good reasons for discrepancies
BoE’s Bean named next president of Royal Economic Society
Bank of England deputy governor named president-elect of Royal Economic Society; will take over as president in April next year
Business confidence remains low in Japan
Latest Bank of Japan Tankan survey of Japanese companies shows confidence has not improved in last quarter
Countries named and shamed over Basel regulation delays
Basel Committee releases progress update on regulation implementation; highlights slow progress in some countries
Bank of Slovenia forecasts economic contraction in 2012
Bank of Slovenia forecasts 1.2% contraction in 2012: revised budget in April expected to contain further fiscal tightening
IMF funding aids Sri Lanka in building reserves
Central Bank of Sri Lanka notes role IMF loans have played in helping build reserves in the country; latest tranche received on April 2
Nigerian central bank adds new departments
Central Bank of Nigeria creates new departments to 'enhance operations'; three new female directors appointed
ESRB supports flexibility in EU legislation
European Systemic Risk Board backs flexible approach in EU legislation governing macro-prudential policy
Bernanke stresses financial stability role of central banks
Fed chairman says central banks must treat financial stability and monetary policy as equally important; discusses new regulatory regime as he delivers final student lecture in series
Stark says contagion threat has been ‘overstated’
Former European Central Bank executive board member says risk of contagion in the eurozone has been “overstated” since the start of the financial crisis
Islamic Financial Services Board issues new guiding principles
New guidelines focus on liquidity risk management and stress testing for institutions offering Islamic financial services; new members added at latest meeting
HKMA settles on staff pay increase
Hong Kong Monetary Authority decides to raise staff wages by more than 5%; constitutes a larger increase than was awarded in 2011
Central Bank of Iceland conducts dawn raid on fishing company
Icelandic officials carry out searches of fishing company Samherji’s offices; company calls for explanation
Eurogroup boosts emergency funding facility
European finance ministers agree to combine two emergency financing vehicles currently running simultaneously in the eurozone; also add €500 billion to lending capacity
Diverging views on US debt stimulate debate at NALM 2012
A difference of views emerged about the relative risks of US sovereign debt compared with alternatives during a panel discussion at NALM 2012 symposium on risk approaches in a post-crisis world
Reserve managers warned on risks of extending maturities
Central banks that are finding it harder to secure real returns from their liquid asset holdings should beware of market risks if they extend the duration of their holdings says NALM panellist
IMF facility not as good as own-funds, says Bank of Mexico’s Duclaud
Reserve managers in some developing markets believe own-country foreign exchange reserves are safer than IMF credit lines
Central Bank of Myanmar confirms currency float
Central bank announces managed currency float will commence next month; first public statement on exchange rate reform since military government left power last year
New Zealand proposes partial earlier adoption of Basel III capital requirements
New Zealand regulators have opted to bring in the capital conservation and countercyclical buffers ahead of the Basel Committee schedule – but market participants are unsure if this is necessary
Fed director cautious of ‘not fully known’ impacts of mobile banking
Sandra Braunstein testifies to US Senate on 'not fully known' ways the use of mobile devices can affect financial services
BoE’s Fisher calls for central banks to bulk up risk management capabilities
Paul Fisher explains benefits of central banks doing independent credit assessment when evaluating collateral; says risk management functions need to be ‘bigger’ in central banks