News
BoE to get new FMI supervision department
Bank of England will gain new powers of oversight over financial market infrastructures after transition from Financial Services Authority in April next year
SNB to open branch in Singapore
Swiss central bank will transfer Asian portfolio managers to new office in Singapore as it looks to diversify reserves further
Target2’s missing settlement mechanism creates systemic risk
In the latest edition of the Central Banking Journal, Hans-Werner Sinn argues the lack of yearly ‘settling up’ in the European Target2 payments system is fuelling major imbalances within Europe
Riksbank cuts rates in face of slowdown
Executive board votes to cut benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 1% and revise down forward guidance on rates; some members say actions should have gone further
Draghi says resolution framework is priority for 2013
ECB chief tells European Parliament single resolution mechanism and reforms to restore competitiveness are ‘key priorities’ for 2013; gives assurances monetary policy will not be impaired
Asic to consult on trade repositories in first quarter 2013
The Australian securities regulator is looking to consult on its trade repository plans at the end of the first quarter, with an eye to implementing the regime later in the year
Committee admits 40% of countries will miss Basel III deadline
Eight out of 19 jurisdictions will miss January 1 deadline for Basel III capital requirements; Stefan Ingves concedes some jurisdictions may still be behind at end of 2013
CB.com poll reveals concerns over inflationary impact of QE
Majority of participants believe extraordinary monetary policy measures will cause central banks to overshoot inflation targets
BoE’s Weale urges use of more nuanced economic models
Basing models on a single representative agent risks obscuring important results, says Bank of England’s Martin Weale; alternative is greater emphasis on behavioural economics
Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten could split
The two Caribbean islands are contemplating dividing their shared central bank; Sint Maarten minister of finance keen to avoid new currency
Riksbank study tackles capital buffer challenges
Research by members of the Sveriges Riksbank’s financial department analyses the problems posed by Basel III’s counter-cyclical capital buffer
Central banks extend swap arrangements
Bank of Canada, Bank of England, European Central Bank, Swiss National Bank and US Federal Reserve extend temporary US dollar and bilateral swap agreements
Riksbank reinforces foreign currency reserves
Sveriges Riksbank will borrow $15 billion of foreign currency from Swedish National Debt Office to compensate in part for increasing IMF commitments
Fiji governor unveils first polymer banknote
New five Fijian dollar note to incorporate polymer substrate for the first time; $2 note replaced with coin
Experts advocate replacing OMTs with gold-backed bonds
Using gold as collateral for sovereign debt could circumvent concerns about fiscal transfers associated with ECB’s OMT programme, panellists say at World Gold Council briefing
EU leaders thrash out ECB bank supervision deal
European finance ministers reach agreement that gives the ECB supervisory powers over the largest banks; EBA rules adjusted to balance voting powers of states outside supervisory mechanism
Fed to extend QE by $45bn per month
Federal Reserve gives equity markets a lift by unveiling an additional $45 billion of quantitative easing; adopts numerical thresholds
Cyprus may create ‘bad bank’ as part of reforms
Panicos Demetriades outlines plans to monitor undercapitalised banks and possibly create a ‘bad bank’; Irish chief economist says the burden of austerity measures must be shared
Dealers seek second business conduct reprieve from CFTC
Less than 1% of OTC derivatives counterparties are ready to trade under new business conduct regime. Non-compliant firms may be frozen out of the market, banks warn
Korea’s Kim calls for an end to currency reserves hoarding
Bank of Korea governor Choongsoo Kim says use of multi-layered financial safety nets would reduce the need for emerging economies to hoard foreign currency reserves; calls for a global effort
Carney and BoE chief economist clash on inflation targeting
Bank of England governor-elect Mark Carney suggests inflation target could be sacrificed for nominal GDP goal; Spencer Dale questions whether this would be effective or viable
FSB presses forward with legal entity identifiers
Latest Financial Stability Board report shows further progress towards implementing the global legal entity identifier system with March 2013 deadline fast approaching
QE ‘relief’ no substitute for deleveraging, says HKMA’s Chan
HKMA chief executive warns asset price growth must be supported by structural developments
Central Bank of Ireland to toughen penalties for financial crime
Irish central bank looks to harden sanctions for financial crime, including doubling maximum fines and the possibility of criminal prosecution for top managers