News
Carney says rate hold was ‘easy decision’ after 9-0 vote
‘Super’ Thursday becomes ‘subdued’ Thursday as BoE revises growth, inflation and unemployment forecasts down; policy on hold
People: ECB names new budget and finance head; long-serving Fed director to retire
Roberto Schiavi will become ECB’s director general budget and finance in March; Fed’s Louise Roseman to retire as director of reserve bank operations and payment systems; and more
Irish central bank’s consumer protection plan focuses on firms’ culture
Central Bank of Ireland unveils priorities for protecting consumers of financial services in 2016; focal points include firms’ culture, with more on-site inspections promised
Bailey to move to FCA by July regardless of EU vote
BoE deputy governor gives deadline for move to the FCA, where he will become chief executive; questioned on the risks surrounding the UK referendum
IMF staff tell Turkey to fix imbalances
Fund mission says central bank must tighten policy to head off growing external imbalances and inflation; low oil price keeping a lid on problems but longer-term solutions needed
DNB opens financial ‘whistleblowing desk’
Dedicated confidential contact points aim to make it easier to report malpractice, bank says
Kuroda insists there is ‘no limit’ to monetary easing
BoJ governor calls combination of QQE and negative interest rates the ‘most powerful' framework in 'history of modern central banking’ and argues there is space for more easing if need be
Innovative print techniques are key for new Georgian banknotes
National Bank of Georgia launches two denominations from first new series for 20 years; dedicated website accompanies the launch
RBI says future action depends on government decisions
Rajan says further easing depends on government budget and the result of pay negotiations; efforts are continuing to improve transmission mechanism, which could push rates down
Fischer spells out uncertainty surrounding impact of global volatility
Fischer says ‘modest overshoot’ of the longer-run unemployment rate would be appropriate, ahead of this month’s jobs data; sees benefit in maintaining balance sheet ‘for a time’
Former BoE officials warn low rates are feeding imbalances
Marian Bell and John Gieve say the Bank of England should start hiking rates soon, as signs of supply-side problems, unsustainable debt, rising house prices and inflation grow more serious
RBA flags scope for easing despite inflation rebound
Central bank emphasises need to battle below-target inflation despite recent uptick; holds key interest rate but says future cuts may still be an option
BIS deputy: animal spirits need stability
Investors need certainty over long-term prospects for sustainable growth, so more short-term stimulus by central banks is likely to make the problem worse, Pereira da Silva says
Chance to ‘review’ BRRD must be seized, says Visco
Italian governor criticises the application of the Bank Resolution and Recovery Directive (BRRD); the transition was too hasty and reform may be needed, he argues
Renminbi direct payments make inroads in Middle East
The Chinese currency ranks first when the UAE and Qatar make direct payments to China and Hong Kong
Jamaican officials point to management plans as debt falls
Jamaica set to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio to 125% in pursuit of 90% target; officials from central bank and debt management branch welcome changes in past year
‘Decarbonisation’ could allow investors to hedge climate risks, economists say
Economists claim low-carbon index can deliver similar performance to benchmark indexes while hedging the uncertain timing of climate change policy-making
Tensions rise between Irish trade union and central bank over staff structure
Trade union says it will ballot members over strike action unless the central bank consults it over changes to staffing and salary structures; bank says a discussion will ‘commence in near term’
Bank of Russia holds after oil prices enter ‘risk scenario’
The falling oil price puts Russia at increased risk of recession while inflationary pressures grow, the Bank of Russia says, as it keeps its policy rate unchanged
Severely adverse scenario will now include ‘more severe downturn’ for US
Severely adverse scenario will now include ‘more severe downturn’ in the US economy; two new BHCs will take part, bringing total number to 33
BoE reveals final element of ring-fencing framework
Systemic risk buffer will apply to ring-fenced assets, with the aim of preventing banks amplifying stress; BoE also hopes it will give smaller banks a competitive boost
BoJ slashes key rate below zero in contentious decision
Kuroda mulls further cuts as central bank intensifies battle against 'deflationary mind-set' in 5-4 vote; yen drops as inflation forecast revised down
Ukrainian central bank faces ‘difficult balancing act’
Ukraine’s central bank has boosted its foreign exchange reserves but faces high inflation and unemployment, a ‘weaker-than-expected’ recovery and possible currency pressure
Kganyago reiterates ‘hiking cycle’ as Sarb raises rates
Risks noted at previous MPC meeting are now materialising; continued volatility expected in the exchange rate