News
BoJ extends lending schemes as economic growth disappoints
Two schemes aimed at stimulating bank lending are expanded and extended as economic data falls below Bank of Japan expectations; analysts expect more easing next quarter
Nigerian RTGS joins Swift
The country's adoption of the global payment platform yesterday is expected to improve settlement security and discourage the use of cash payments in the longer term
Colombia sees benefit of weaker currency as inflation stays at record lows
Minutes say monetary policy framework is functioning well as lower levels of capital flight allow central bank to retain some of South America's lowest interest rates
Former HKMA chief Yam calls on PBoC to shift to policy rate
Founding chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority publishes a paper calling for interest rate and money base liberalisation on the mainland
Central Bank of Turkey expected to avoid drama with rate hold tomorrow
The bank, which hiked rates by 425 basis points in an emergency meeting on January 29, is widely expected to stay on current path; has continued to sell dollars in February to prop up lira
Noyer paints picture of ‘European Federal Reserve System’
Banque de France governor sets out vision of the ECB operating in a similar style to the Fed – with France taking the place of New York
New face for FOMC as Cleveland Fed pick Pianalto replacement
Mester, head of research at Philadelphia Fed, will take over on June 1; will contribute insights on financial stability effects of monetary policy to FOMC, says Don Kohn
Norwegian governor backs SWF rotation into higher-yielding equities and real estate
Øystein Olsen says it is ‘natural' for the country's pension fund to invest in different types of real assets; talks up the possibility of an above-average market return
'Cornered' Argentina introduces new inflation index
New inflation index announced by the government yesterday is a step in the right direction, according to analysts, who nevertheless remain concerned about how data is collected
Sarb hits out at ‘blatant misrepresentation’ ahead of South Africa elections
Central bank refutes claims by Democratic Alliance that Sarb models indicate support for the party’s economic policies; central bank calls for nominations to three non-executive directorships
Debelle and Fisher to head up FSB FX benchmarks review
RBA deputy governor and Bank of England head of markets will lead a review at the FSB, and present findings to G-20 Brisbane conference in November
Kenyan High Court blocks charges against Ndung’u
Njuguna Ndung’u granted temporary reprieve from corruption charges after High Court intervenes, but possibility of arrest fuels fears of turbulence in the vulnerable economy
UK government rules out 'sterling zone' with independent Scotland
Scotland will face significant challenges in setting up its own currency, establishing a currency board or joining the euro as an alternative to sterling
IMF mission to Iran urges monetary tightening to ‘entrench' recent disinflation
Article IV statement calls for simplified central bank mandate and greater focus on price stability; says new authorities are ‘well aware of challenges and need to advance reforms'
Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine central banks play down currency fears
In the wake of Kazakhstan’s devaluation, the central banks in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine are forced to issue public statements backing the value of their currencies
Orthodox Banxico policies ‘paying off' amid emerging market volatility
Loose monetary policy in Mexico has been made possible by progress on inflation anchoring, according to bank's quarterly report
National Bank of Belgium sells iconic Antwerp building
Belgium’s central bank has closed its Antwerp branch as part of its ongoing consolidation process, and will now sell the distinctive triangular building
IMF sees ‘limited scope’ for RBA rate cuts
Article IV staff report says Reserve Bank of Australia’s accommodative monetary policy is ‘broadly appropriate’ but warns the central bank could struggle to offset further shocks
Bank of England unveils forward guidance ‘phase two'
The current policy will be scrapped when UK unemployment reaches the bank's 7% threshold ‘in the coming months' in favour of a less easily defined version aimed at reducing labour market slack
CLS set to add Russian ruble in November, source says
Industry settlement utility CLS is poised to add the ruble to its currency universe in November
Maldives chief economist nominated as governor after presidential volte-face
Azeema Adam looks set to become the next governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority, after the president withdrew his first candidate for the role
Mauritian governor calls for RBA-style capitalisation
Rundheersing Bheenick says the Bank of Mauritius should receive a stock of government debt it can use to mop up the excess liquidity in the banking system caused by its FX interventions
Kazakhs let currency fall 19%
National Bank of Kazakhstan points to the Fed taper and ‘uncertainty’ around the exchange rate of the Russian ruble as the main motivations for devaluing the tenge
Yellen says labour market recovery ‘far from complete' in first appearance as chair
New Fed chair says she expects ‘a great deal of continuity in the FOMC's approach to monetary policy' going forward; downplays unemployment rate for evaluating labour market conditions