News
Mixed market response as Greece deal is proposed
Regional stock indexes show different impact as eurozone agrees on more bail-out funds for Greece; price of gold edged higher as euro rose after news broke
Madagascan central bank staff revolt: reports
Angry central bankers stage a sit-in at the Central Bank of Madagascar to protest over the abrupt replacement of former governor Frederic Rasamoely
Bank of Japan adds to Tankan survey pool
Japanese central bank refreshes companies and financial institutions that make up the sample group for the influential survey; adds 102 enterprises and five financial institutions
New Norwegian coin commemorates Royal birthdays
Norges Bank reveals a commemorative silver coin to celebrate the birthdays of King Harald and Queen Sonja; profits from sale will go to charities
RBA retains scope for monetary easing
Minutes of the latest Monetary Policy Board meeting at the Reserve Bank of Australia shows members believe inflation outlook provides scope for a further easing of policy if situation worsens
EU leaders present plan for growth
EU member state leaders issue joint statement on restoring growth to the economy; all eyes on finance ministers’ meeting in Brussels
China cuts reserve ratio again
People’s Bank of China knocks 50bp off the reserve requirement for the country’s largest banks; policy to remain “prudent” says central bank
Bank of Korea announces new policy board members: reports
Reports say Park Won-shik, a deputy governor at the Bank of Korea, is the first new member of the monetary policy board; several more to come
Central bankers attend Financial Action Task Force meeting
Central bankers from many of the 136 member countries of FATF share thoughts on combating money laundering
European Commission to propose regulation on CSDs
European Commission announces new rules targeting central securities depositories to be released in March; wants to ensure securities transactions are settled in a “safe and timely manner”
Australia set to formalise payment system mishap reporting
Reserve Bank of Australia announces intention to establish strict rules on informing the central bank of operational incidents in retail payments systems; launches consultation process
SNB bank council president will not stand for re-election
Bank council president Hansueli Raggenbass announces he will not stand for re-election at the end of his term of office
Riksbank governor awarded King's medal
Stefan Ingves becomes fifth Riksbank governor to be given the King’s Medal; honour awarded for “outstanding contributions in the financial sector”
Central Bank of Ireland announces joint fellowship with Bruegel
Irish central bank announces joint fellowship with think-tank Bruegel; experienced candidates sought for research project
Nazis “destroyed confidence” in BoE notes with expert counterfeits
MI5 report from 1945 says Nazis destroyed confidence in British banknotes; produced counterfeits of such high quality it was “impossible” for a lay person to tell them from the real thing
Central banks bought close to 440 tonnes of gold in 2011
World Gold Council unveils report showing large central bank gold purchases in 2011; emerging economies lead the way in rebalancing their reserves to include more of the precious metal
Fed official reports on success of dollar swap lines
Steven Kamin, director of the Division of International Finance at the Fed, tells Senate committee currency swap lines have helped ease dollar funding market; stresses agreements are risk-free
Ukrainian central bank signs agreement with banking association
National Bank of Ukraine agrees to deeper co-operation with Independent Banking Association of Ukraine; two bodies sign memorandum of partnership and co-operation
China prepares for an ‘arduous’ year
Task of maintaining financial stability will be ‘arduous’ in 2012, says People’s Bank of China deputy governor; focus will be on risks from regional banks and non-banking institutions
Zoellick to leave World Bank in June
World Bank president Robert Zoellick announces decision to step down this year; IMF’s Lagarde says he has served the international community with “great distinction”
Basel DVA capital deduction could cost banks billions
Billions of dollars in capital could be excluded under Basel proposals on derivatives DVA - with US banks hardest hit
Parliamentary committee calls for Kenyan governor to resign
Parliamentary Select Committee finds governor's "conduct and behaviour incompatible with the holder of the office of governor of the Central Bank of Kenya"; calls for resignation
Sepa end-date set in stone following final vote
European Parliament passes legislation imposing a February 1, 2014 deadline for migration to Single Euro Payments Area after regulation receives overwhelming support of MEPs in Brussels
US Treasury clarifies sanctions on Central Bank of Iran
US issues detailed list of frequently asked questions; says assessment of which transactions fall under sanctions will be done on case-by-case basis