News
PBoC approves direct trading between renminbi and sterling
The pound will become only the fifth currency that can be directly exchanged with the yuan; People’s Bank of China names China Construction Bank as renminbi clearing bank in London
Luxembourg central bank accuses government of withholding statistics
Central Bank of Luxembourg says it will not be able to honour its commitment to publish a ‘thorough analysis’ of public finances this month because it cannot access the data it needs
Rajan: RBI ‘could give up’ some powers
Reserve Bank of India should retain its regulatory powers, Rajan says, but it could cede part of its debt management role to the government ‘without any loss in welfare’
Expanding SWF forum to fly IMF nest and land in London next month
International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds welcomes new members ahead of relocation from the IMF's headquarters to its own premises in London in July
Russia returns to floating ruble strategy as Ukraine pressure cools
Bank of Russia has reduced the amount it will intervene to prop up the ruble, signalling an easing of geopolitical pressure on the currency
Lagarde says Yellen should double FOMC press conference frequency
IMF chief says clear communication is needed to dispel market uncertainty over US interest rate lift-off; also calls on FOMC to publish quarterly monetary policy reports
Poland governor Belka's comments cause political storm
Conversation from last summer shows NBP governor called for finance minister to be replaced, and made disparaging remarks about colleagues on the MPC
MAS to offer overnight renminbi liquidity
Monetary Authority of Singapore says it will launch an overnight liquidity facility for Chinese currency in July; latest step in growth of offshore market
Carney leads central bankers in open mouth operations
ECB policy-makers make the most speeches by far, but a broader trend towards more frequent communication is confirmed by CentralBanking.com research
Bank of England given far-reaching macro-prudential powers over housing
UK chancellor unveils ‘big new steps' that will allow BoE to cap loan-to-value and loan-to-income ratios on mortgages; Carney ‘applauds' decision
Stanley Fischer confirmed as Fed vice chair, as Brainard joins the board
Lael Brainard passes Senate vote to become newest member on Fed board of governors; expected to be sworn in before FOMC meeting on Tuesday
Philippines tailors stress tests to real estate exposures
Central Bank of the Philippines approves new prudential guidelines to incorporate in bank stress tests; insists they are preferable to ‘absolute limits’ on real estate exposures
Australian sovereign wealth fund appoints new head
Chief investment officer David Neal picked to head up the management company behind Australia's $90 billion Future Fund
Belgians call for ‘strong co-ordination’ to hold EU prudential regime together
Article in National Bank of Belgium's financial stability review evaluates the institutional structures that will influence macro-prudential policy in Europe
Turkey's central bank board removes five executives
The bank has yet to comment publicly on the reshuffle, which a spokesperson says is not a matter of public concern
ECB argues risk of deflation is 'remote'
Monthly bulletin sets out criteria for what the European Central Bank considers deflation, as opposed to ‘subdued price developments of a less malign nature’
Bank of Ghana admits monetising government debt
Central bank offers relief as investor flight drives sovereign bond yields to spike; ‘printing money to finance the deficit' will cause inflation and currency depreciation, Fitch warns
Bank of England joins with UK Treasury in sweeping financial markets review
Markets review initiated by government, which includes the central bank and Financial Conduct Authority, will look at conduct and transparency in financial markets
New Zealand hikes OCR again; Indonesia and South Korea hold firm
Reserve Bank of New Zealand raises its key rate for the third time in 2014; Bank Indonesia and Bank of Korea hold policy despite above- and below-target inflation respectively
IMF launches global house price observatory to 'nudge' prudential policy-makers
Fund sets up website to help countries keep track of and compare housing sector developments and prompt them into ‘early action' on booms and busts
Fed's communication on tapering ‘careless and whimsical', says new BoE deputy
Ben Broadbent, incoming deputy governor for monetary policy, says the Bank of England is likely to provide ‘disciplined' guidance on asset sales
People: Venezuela finance minister to sit on central bank board; and more
Venezuelan finance minister gets a seat on the central bank board; Bank of Japan London representative moves home to head up international division; and more
Provopoulos steps aside as Stournaras named new Bank of Greece governor
Yannis Stournaras, until Monday Greece's minister of finance, will be the new governor of the Bank of Greece pending cabinet approval, when Provopoulos's term expires next week
Rogoff and Ball cross swords over 4% inflation target
IMF publishes Laurence Ball paper outlining the benefits of higher inflation; Ken Rogoff says switching to an electronic currency is a more ‘elegant’ solution to the ZLB problem