News
Lender of last resort not an option for ECB, say analysts
A financial backstop is needed to address the eurozone crisis, analysts say, but full lender of last resort status for the European Central Bank remains politically unpalatable
BoJ's Shirakawa urges greater caution over financial innovation
Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa says a better understanding of banks' incentive structures can minimise risks associated with financial innovation
Video: New York Fed’s Marc Saidenberg denies US go-slow on Basel II implementation
New York Fed senior vice-president Marc Saidenberg says US is introducing Basel II at a similar pace to international peers and is also committed to timely implementation of Basel III
ECCB disposes stake in former Stanford bank
Eastern Caribbean Central Bank sells assets from seized Bank of Antigua to Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank
IMF evaluates reform options for SDR basket eligibility criteria
Executive directors meet to discuss staff paper on criteria for broadening the SDR currency basket; “freely usable” criterion set to stay
Sweden will go beyond Basel III capital rules, says Ingves
Riksbank governor Stefan Ingves says Sweden will follow Switzerland and UK in implementing higher capital adequacy requirements than Basel III for largest banks; details to be released soon
German banks face new set of risks as contagion spreads across Europe
Bundesbank 2011 Financial Stability Review says Germany’s banking system will face new burdens as sovereign debt crisis in Europe intensifies
Israel Administrative Council holds first meeting
Bank of Israel holds first Administrative Council meeting after lengthy delay in appointing external members
Zambia governance void continues
Bank of Zambia website lists every position on the board of directors as “vacant”; still no new governor after Caleb Fundanga was fired
Lorenzo Bini Smaghi to leave the ECB
Lorenzo Bini Smaghi will join Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs in January; ends term at ECB more than a year early
Papademos confirmed as Greek prime minister
Former ECB vice-president chosen as prime minister in new coalition government; news received well as stock market jumps
Lagarde holds crucial talks with Beijing
IMF managing director Christine Lagarde meets Chinese premier Wen Jiabao to discuss the country’s economic response to the global slowdown; warns international economy could face lost decade of growth
National Bank of Austria to invest in renminbi-denominated assets
People’s Bank of China and National Bank of Austria sign agreement enabling the Austrian central bank to invest in renminbi-denominated assets
Eurozone fears spread worldwide
Indonesia drops rate in surprise move, Lithuania and Mexico slash growth forecasts as the UK prepares for “Armageddon”
Stark demands financial sector refocus
European Central Bank executive board member Jürgen Stark says financial sector became too “self-referential” in recent decades and must refocus activities on banking services
Italy reaches crisis point as bond yields soar
Announcement that Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi will resign does little to calm markets; bond yields hit euro area record high, raising the stakes for a potential default
Athens heeds Greek governor's plea to agree on coalition government
Outgoing prime minister confirms agreement on coalition government; hours after Bank of Greece governor George Provopoulos called for Athens to stop political squabbling
Canada announces renewed inflation target range
Canadian government and central bank announce renewal of the inflation-control target for the central bank; goal to remain the 2% mid-point of a 1-3% range
Iran deputy governor remains in custody
Hamid Pourmohammadi remains in custody as investigation into banking fraud continues; new UN report could lead to more sanctions on the country
Ireland releases agreement on split of banking oversight responsibilities
Previously confidential memorandum of understanding between department of finance and central bank shows split of responsibilities; document forms part of bail-out programme
Bank of England is ‘monetising the deficit’ with QE – Monetary Policy Forum
Former BoE employees agree the latest round of quantitative easing in the UK could be seen as a way of monetising the deficit; panellists stress Greece’s exit from the euro would be catastrophic
Carney takes aim at shadow banking activity
New Financial Stability Board chairman emphasises fight against shadow banking institutions; says global liquidity fluctuations are damaging financial stability
Treasury Committee recommends overhaul of Bank’s Court
Treasury Committee report says Bank of England Court should be replaced by new supervisory board to provide leaner and more expert review of policies
New Zealand consults banks on Basel III
Reserve Bank of New Zealand issues consultation paper on implementation of higher Basel III capital requirements; deadline for comments January 2012