News
Thai governor calls for rethink of monetary policy frameworks
New structure should systematically acknowledge the negative impact of monetary policy; Santiprabhob recognises macroprudential cannot take all the strain
TK Whitaker, 1916–2017
Former Irish governor was key figure in his country’s economic modernisation; earlier served as senior civil servant in finance and pushed through far-reaching reform plan
Regional Fed presidents call for further rate rises
Richmond and Boston heads say the Fed should reach inflation target in 2017
Luc Coene, 1947–2017
Former Belgian central bank governor also had significant political career
RBI research arm tests blockchain for clearing, settlement
IDRBT releases white paper on the applications of blockchain, examining the benefits for the Indian financial sector; research group created proof-of-concept architecture to simulate clearing network
Stronger 2016 profit helps SNB rebuild reserves
Profitable year helps central bank repair its distribution reserve after losses in 2015, though profits appear to have slipped slightly in the fourth quarter
People: Central banks of Spain and Afghanistan appoint new deputy governors
Career central banker Javier Alonso promoted to deputy in Spain, Bank of Afghanistan names new first deputy governor, and more
Central Banking Awards 2016: Gallery
On March 3, 2016, members of the central banking world gathered in London to celebrate Central Banking’s third annual awards
Pablo Sánchez appointed to lead Central Bank of Bolivia
Academic to take over from Zabalaga after six years as president; latest IMF consultation highlights the disagreement with Bolivian authorities over independence and monetary policy
Nigerian central bank details funding for farmers
Programme is latest to aim at boosting production of import substitutes
Belarus cuts rates amid systemic risk fears
Central bank says measures will be taken to guard against foreign loan risk; recent IMF assessment says economy has high level of risk
Ex-Barclays trader pleads guilty in price-fixing conspiracy
Jason Katz, a former EMFX trader at Barclays and BNP Paribas, pleads guilty in New York
Echavarría takes over at Central Bank of Colombia
Former board member central bank takes office as economy is expected to recover from commodity slowdown; biggest challenge will be tackling high inflation
Czech central bank carries out internal reorganisation
Research division to be split between two departments; human resources joins general secretariat, while EU and international organisations division is moved to regulation department
Bank of Portugal selects preferred buyer for ‘good bank’
Novo Banco sale process has met with difficulties; US firm Lone Star is named the best-placed bidder
J Dewey Daane, 1918–2016
Former Fed governor and adviser to the International Monetary Fund played key role in founding of the Central Bank of Paraguay
Haldane hopeful for ‘rebirth’ of economics
BoE chief economist believes crisis for the profession could lead to a break with past thinking; offers solutions to productivity problems
Bank of Israel cuts 2017 budget as building and banknote projects wind down
Central bank continues process of budgetary restraint as it unveils work plan for 2017; spending on renovation and new technology and emergency centre falls
Sri Lankan government to restructure central bank
Central bank is to be restructured with amendments to the Banking Act, but disagreements remain between the finance minister and governor; inflation-targeting framework appears to be on track
Ukraine acts to cover ‘major shortfall’ in nationalised bank
NBU also tightens bond auction anonymity and announces restriction on use of cash to settle payments
UK competition authority raises concern on VocaLink sale
Sale of payments infrastructure provider to MasterCard could harm competition on ATMs, but unlikely to be a problem for wider payment systems, CMA finds
People: vice-governor appointed at PBoC; Bank of Canada creates new comms role
China’s State Council appoints Harvard graduate to replace Guo Qingping; Jill Vardy becomes adviser to Stephen Poloz; and more
Hans Tietmeyer, 1931-2016
Former Bundesbank president played key roles in German reunification, European single currency and reform of international financial regulation
Dwight Venner, 1946-2016
The long-serving central bank governor has died aged 70, having spent 26 years at the head of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank