News
IMF gives its verdict on Abenomics
Article IV statement gives ringing endorsement to QQE in Japan; says ‘spillovers' may have adverse near-term effect on neighbours, but will be offset by benefits of economic strength in Japan
EC recognises member state fears that FTT will hurt clearing
Tax liability could send CCPs "directly into insolvency" warn Czech officials in leaked document
Protesters claim victory in ECB ‘blockade'
'Blockupy' movement targets central bank in anti-troika protest at austerity and democratic deficit
Euribor and Eonia submission panels to be split
European Banking Federation says banks will have to re-apply to be on each panel to ensure only those active in the markets participate; confirms banks may be forced to make submissions
Vietnam bad bank to stimulate growth in NPL-ridden banking sector
Vietnam central bank aims to put banking sector on a stable footing to support growth, by taking non-performing loans into state-run 'bad bank'
Volcker calls for end to inflation targets
Former Fed chairman tells New York audience the Fed must have the 'backbone' to exit QE before it is too late; says no need for a 'specific target or target zone' for inflation
UK consumers drop cash in move towards mobile payments
British Retail Consortium says cash usage fell sharply last year, while research by VocaLink finds a strong uptake of mobile payments by consumers, though retail payments are still dominated by cash
ECB links ‘fragile’ financial stability to weak macroeconomy
Latest financial stability review says stress has ‘fallen markedly’ but vulnerabilities persist; ECB is most concerned about the impact of a further decline in bank profitability
RBNZ could ‘scale up’ forex intervention
Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Graeme Wheeler signals willingness to sell more NZ dollars to combat currency appreciation; house price increases put central bank in policy ‘bind’
Pressure builds on ECB as figures show no lending growth
OECD and the European Commission call on the European Central Bank to do more, as ECB figures show lending to the eurozone's productive economy continues to shrink
IMF warns China on rapid growth of social financing
Article IV consultation urges China to tighten prudential standards to rein in fast credit growth and rebalance economy away from investment; growth forecast trimmed again
BoE deputies warn of slow policy coordination
Charlie Bean says eurozone periphery will weigh on demand for ‘some time’ as wage and price adjustments are needed; Tucker highlights trade-off between speed and balance in global regulation
Bank of Thailand rate cut aims to boost demand, not weaken baht
BoT makes clear its move was driven by disappointing economic growth, and not aimed at weakening the currency as the government would like
BIS finds ‘no evidence' of persistent collateral scarcity
Report says increased reliance on collateralised funding and demands of regulatory reforms have not led to any 'lasting or widespread scarcity' of high quality assets
RBA considers overhaul to card access regimes
Reserve Bank of Australia launches consultation on whether to change or revoke rules governing access to credit and debit card systems – which might allow the RBA itself to acquire cards
RBI ‘reluctant’ to apply for Esma recognition under current rules
Indian reticence over Emir steps up pressure on EC equivalency regime
Israel cuts rate for second time in two weeks
Bank of Israel cuts benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points for second time this month as global monetary easing ‘accelerates’
Discontent on BoJ board over monetary policy outlook
Three board members suggest changes to the wording of the outlook for economic activity and prices as fears emerge over effects of continued QE; Kuroda and Miyao upbeat in separate speeches
Martowardojo sworn in as governor of Bank Indonesia
Former finance minister promises to combat inflation and increase the stability of the banking sector
Weidmann hits out at 'austerity backlash'
Bundesbank president challenges Blanchard study, says no conflict between fiscal consolidation and growth; Banque de France governor Noyer throws weight behind European banking union
Central bank operations push up Target2 turnover
ECB annual report says central banks helped push the value of payments in Target2 system to €634 trillion in 2012; balances diverged as German claims and Spanish liabilities increased
Gideon Gono fears ‘financial isolation’ for Zimbabwe
Central bank governor believes country could lose access to global payments platforms and external lines of credit if the indigenisation of foreign-owned banks is forced through
Cyprus challenges accusations of weak anti-money laundering controls
Central bank and finance ministry say summary of two reports into anti-money laundering controls in Cyprus gives a biased view of the results
New York Fed forecasts support continued easing
Staff forecasts predict inflation and unemployment are unlikely to make significant progress toward their target levels in 2013