News
Bank of Finland snaps up ousted Estonian deputy governor
Märten Ross becomes adviser to the Bank of Finland’s monetary policy and research department in the area of the international economy and economic policy
South Sudan enacts central bank law
Bank of South Sudan becomes central bank; new currency to be floated in a ‘managed’ way
Uncertainty over resignation of Pakistan governor continues
State Bank of Pakistan spokesperson says governor Shahid Kardar's resignation has 'not yet' been accepted
Lebanese government renews governor’s term
Government gives Riad Salamah six more years in charge; term begins August 1
Helaba withdrawal hints at 'fundamental value' in stress test results, says analyst
German bank Helaba’s withdrawal from the European stress-testing process indicates there could be 'fundamental value' in the results, an analyst says
Greece inches closer to default status
Fitch downgrades Greece’s long-term credit rating to CCC, one notch above default, in an active week for ratings agencies
Kenya reverses rate decision
Central Bank of Kenya reverses earlier rate increase on overnight discount rate but imposes restrictions on its discount window; analysts say measures amount to tightening in monetary policy
Brazil holds first Financial Stability Committee meeting
First meeting held over a month later than planned; comes in same week governor addresses New York audience for the first time and discusses rising inflation
Foreign banks get temporary respite from China’s new ‘Volcker rule’
Foreign banks in China greet decision by China Banking Regulatory Commission to postpone new rules on onshore non-hedging business with relief
ECB “sidelined” in sovereign crisis debate, says analyst
Eurogroup lays out plans to provide bail-out fund with greater flexibility to address sovereign risks; analyst says message sends signal European Central Bank is being “sidelined” in discussion
State Bank of Pakistan left in dark over governor’s resignation
Reports emerge that State Bank of Pakistan governor Shahid Kardar has resigned just over a year into job; central bank staff say they are unaware of any changes
Markets respond positively as Bernanke says US is ready to act
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke says US has a “number of ways” it could ease financial conditions if necessary; markets respond postitively
Lagarde sticks with tradition and appoints American first deputy
Christine Lagarde appoints a US citizen as first deputy managing director; creates new deputy managing director position for Chinese official
Germany and China heighten cooperation
People’s Bank of China and Deutsche Bundesbank meet in Frankfurt to discuss financial stability and trade partnership; China stresses confidence in euro area
Ireland appoints new deputy governor
Central Bank of Ireland makes Stefan Gerlach new deputy governor
ECB and World Bank call for exemptions from US derivatives rules
World Bank believes imposition of national regulations on multilateral development institutions is unprecedented intrusion on the internal operations of international organisations
UK abandons plan to end cheque use
Method of payment will exist for “as long as customers” need, says Payments Council
Upheaval at Bank of Israel
New directors of the research and market operations departments; long-serving director of human resources and administration department resigns
China insists local government debt is ‘manageable’
People’s Bank of China dismisses claims local government financing vehicles owe 14 trillion yuan; says risks from the debts are manageable
King receives 2.5% pay rise
Bank of England 2010 Annual Report shows governor Mervyn King’s starting minimum salary for 2010 increased to £375,000; deputy governors also receive pay rise
Basel and Dodd-Frank create arbitrage potential, say analysts
Removal of credit ratings under Dodd-Frank will create arbitrage opportunities – and is already being exploited by some US banks, research claims
Weber gains clearance to join UBS
Eurozone and German central bank give former Bundesbank president Axel Weber green light to join UBS in May
European debt concerns spark bond market sell off
European bond markets tumble amid growing concerns over Italy’s ability to tackle its fiscal deficit; uncertainty over Greek rollover adds to market uncertainty
Sudan relinquishes control of financial system in the South
Measures to relinquish control of southern financial system following independence declaration of South State