News
Bundesbank raises 2012 growth prediction
German central bank records marginally more positive growth expectation for the economy this year; still harbours significant concerns on key issues such as unemployment
PBoC cuts rates and moves to address ‘informal lending’
People’s Bank of China surprises many observers with 25bp cut in benchmark rates; moves to ease banking restrictions on lending in China
FSB proposes future legal entity identifier system
Financial Stability Board releases report on implementing a global legal entity identifier system for the financial sector; wants system to be independently functional by March 2013
Riksbank reveals details of new currency series release
Release dates for updated banknotes and coins revealed by Riksbank; first new banknotes will enter circulation in October 2015
Estonia begins Sepa migration work
Estonian Payment Environment Forum holds meeting; attendees affirm commitment to ensuring a smooth transition to Sepa-compliant payments and settlements in Estonia
New Bank of Spain governor named
Miguel Angel Fernandez Ordoñez’s successor is chosen; will assume the top role at the central bank on June 11
Fed policy-makers consider further QE
Janet Yellen “convinced” of scope for further expansion of Fed balance sheet; Bernanke says rapid fiscal tightening a “serious threat” to recovery
Dallara to leave IIF after 19 years
Charles Dallara will leave the IIF in the "coming months" after 19 years as managing director; search for a replacement is on-going
RBA outlines payments system development plan
Australian central bank sets out areas of priority for advancing the payments system in the country; concludes two-year review process
South African Mint executives leave company for good
Andile Mvinjelwa and Thomas Davel leave South African Mint Company by mutual agreement following conclusion of investigation into poor-quality krugerrand coins
Danish banks 'robust' says central bank
Financial Stability Report notes solid performance from 13 largest banks; tracks trend for declining numbers of financial institutions in the country
Eight central bankers perish in Nigerian plane crash
Several employees of the Central Bank of Nigeria were killed in the June 3 plane crash in Lagos; among them was Canadian national Kim Norris, who was working as an adviser to the governor
India’s economic policy set to undermine RBI’s ‘good’ work
The Reserve Bank of India was one of few central banks around the world to have a ‘good crisis’ but its reputation is under threat from the country’s current economic policies
Reserve Bank of Australia cuts policy rate by 25bp
Australian central bank cuts interest rate by 25 basis points; board says weaker and more uncertain global environment allows for more ‘accommodative’ policy
ECB holds rates and offers no new stimulus
European Central Bank offers no substantive new policies to help tackle eurozone sovereign debt and banking crisis; puts pressure back on law-makers
IMF’s Lagarde praises ‘remarkable’ recovery in Latvia
Christine Lagarde highlights successful reform efforts in Latvia; Asmussen says struggling eurozone countries could learn lessons from Baltic experience
Bundesbank’s Braasch calls for creation of a ‘new financial architecture’
Senior Deutsche Bundesbank official calls for more debate on key characteristics needed for new global financial architecture; hits out at current knee-jerk policy approach
New Central Bank of Ireland headquarters revealed
Irish central bank to spend €7 million on new headquarters in Dublin; bank expects to relocate in three to four years when building work is complete
ECB delivers blow to Hungarian central bank law
The European Central Bank says the amended draft central bank law still “fails to address” concerns over independence; continued uncertainty leaving central bank operations unstable
Andrew Bailey to join interim UK Financial Policy Committee
Bailey to join June meeting of interim Financial Policy Committee as a voting member; takes over as head of the Prudential Business Unit at the FSA in the same month
Brazil’s Tombini seeks appointment of new director
Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil nominates candidate to become director of special affairs; former governor Henrique Meirelles announced as chairman of Lazard Americas
Nalm Americas: Reserves panel split on euro
Some central banks in the Americas are reducing allocation to euro – but not necessarily as a result of the eurozone debt crisis
IMF’s Nehmat urges eurozone fiscal adjustment plan rethink
Deputy managing director of the IMF says some eurozone countries’ fiscal targets for 2013 may need to be altered given growth slowdown; also supports deeper European integration
Czech National Bank shifts reserves away from euro
Annual report shows decision was taken to hold Australian dollars as part of foreign currency reserves; swapped part of euro holdings for the Australian currency