News
Philippines re-launches economic and financial learning centre
Central Bank of the Philippines reopens economic and financial learning centre in its Cabanatuan Branch Office; education activities continue throughout the country
Korea governor selection process under fire
Politician takes on president’s ability to choose governor of the central bank board; wants to see candidates face parliamentary confirmation hearings
Papademos flies to Athens as Greece decides on new leader
Former European Central Bank vice-president Lucas Papademos rushes to Athens as Greek officials discuss leadership choice for new coalition government
SNB’s Hildebrand ready to intervene in Swiss franc market
Swiss National Bank chairman Philipp Hildebrand says central bank is prepared to weaken “highly valued” currency further if deflationary risks materialise
Time for timidity has passed, says Lagarde
Christine Lagarde calls for action from developed and emerging economies; tells Russia to rebuild fiscal buffers
Ireland introduces revised requirements for lenders dealing with SMEs
Ireland changes rules for banks lending to small and medium-sized enterprises when they are facing financial difficulties; new code updates 2009 effort
IMF to supervise Italy on debt reduction plan
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi agrees to invite International Monetary Fund to Rome to oversee its fiscal consolidation efforts but turns down option for financial support
FSB confirms Carney as next chair
Financial Stability Board announced Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney as next chairman; vast experience in banking will come in handy
Final rules to tackle systemically important institutions announced
G-20 agrees on policy measures to address risks posed by systemically important financial institutions; 29 institutions identified as of global systemic importance
Central banks react to eurozone situation
Denmark and Romania lower benchmark rates and Australia lowers growth expectations; all point to continuing eurozone uncertainty as key decision-making factor
King wants clearly defined bank ring-fence
Bank of England governor Mervyn King says lawmakers must ensure legislation on retail banking ring-fence is clear so regulators can focus on enforcing the new measures
Papandreou retreats on referendum as lawmakers revolt
Greece’s beleaguered prime minister, George Papandreou, faces increasing pressure to resign after announcing U-turn on euro referendum
Draghi announces rate cut amid fears of mild recession
European Central Bank president Mario Draghi marks inaugural Governing Council press conference with 25 basis point rate cut; ECB reveals details of covered bond scheme
Brazilian politicians take on inflation-targeting mandate
Bill to alter Central Bank of Brazil's inflation target mandate passes Senate Economic Affairs Committee; discussion flares-up as to whether central bank is already employing a mulit-target mandate
Risk USA: US regulators “scared to death” by eurozone debt crisis
The sovereign debt crisis is a concern, but direct US bank exposure is manageable, says senior OCC official
Bernanke faces tough questions at press conference
Federal Reserve chairman tackles queries on monetary policy impact, Europe and political pressure; only recently started holding post-FOMC press conferences
Former Kenyan deputy governor passes away
Hezron Nyangito passes away; was replaced as deputy governor of the Central Bank of Kenya last week over concerns for his health
Eurozone leaders hold emergency meeting in Cannes
Greek prime minister George Papandreou is summoned to Cannes for crisis talks ahead of G-20 meetings after receiving the backing of his cabinet to hold a referendum on the eurozone bailout
Risk USA: Regulators need to be wary of capital overshoot, says Roldán
Adding to Basel III capital levels might have unintended consequences, says former chair of Basel Committee’s standards implementation group
Netherlands takes on systemically important banks
Netherlands Bank expresses concern at exposure of Dutch banking sector to sovereign debt crisis; tells systemically important banks to begin preparations to raise capital and build recovery plans
IMF stresses importance of central banks’ role in macro-prudential policy use
IMF releases research into macro-prudental tools; stresses importance of central banks’ roles in using policy to fend off financial crises
Canada hires S&P's Beers as special adviser
David Beers to move to Bank of Canada from Standard & Poors; will serve for 18 months as a special adviser to governor Mark Carney
Greece referendum puts eurozone rescue plan in jeopardy
Athens throws spanner in the works with the announcement of a referendum on the eurozone rescue package in January; parliamentary confidence vote also due on Friday
Bank of Canada inflation target mandate set to stay
Governor Mark Carney appears before House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance to explain research done on topic; finance minister confirms inflation targeting to stay