News
Standard & Poor’s changes US outlook to negative
Rating agency cites growing deficit and debt as rationale behind the change
China agrees $3.83 billion currency swap with New Zealand
People’s Bank of China and Reserve Bank of New Zealand sign $3.83 billion currency swap deal to further facilitate renminbi trade
South Africa’s chief banking regulator to retire early
South African Reserve Bank’s Errol Kruger to leave in the summer
China raises banks' required reserves again
China hikes reserve requirements once more; from April 21 banks must retain 20.5%
G-20 agrees guidelines to identify imbalances
G-20 representatives move forward with plans to establish guidelines to measure economic imbalances
Greek budget cuts raise default concerns
Markets prepare for the worst as Athens unveils new tougher austerity measures; IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn says cuts are necessary
Turkey appoints new governor
Turkish President Abdullah Gül approves government motion to appoint deputy governor Erdem Basci as head of central bank
Stress tests motivate Moody’s Ireland downgrade
Moody’s downgrades Ireland two notches to Baa3 after stress tests force Irish government to allocate additional funds to banks
China economy booms as inflation soars
National Bureau of Statistics of China reveals economic growth of 9.7%; inflation reaches three-year high
Russia launches Olympic coins
Bank of Russia launches Sochi 2014 coin series to “promote Olympic values in Russia and abroad”
Banks caught in ‘maelstrom of interlinked pressures’: IMF
IMF’s Global Financial Stability Report slams progress made by banking system reforms; calls for higher quality and quantity capital in Europe
Bank’s Fisher optimistic on winding down crisis facilities
Bank of England executive director of markets Paul Fisher says recent progress in markets reinforced decision to end special liquidity scheme next year
Fed Beige Book reveals concern over impact of Japanese tragedy
Federal Reserve releases Beige Book; shows improved economic activity across the US but concern over impact of tragedy in Japan
Brics demand "broad-based" international reserve currency system
Leaders of the five fast-growing emerging economies support reform and improvement of international monetary system; want a stable, reliable and broad-based international reserve currency system
Non-US sovereigns should collateralise swaps, say US bank regulators
Progress towards sovereign collateral posting has been slow. Now, US regulators are proposing to make it mandatory - for all non-US entities
Central bank reserve managers recoil at sovereign risk
Central Banking Publications survey finds fears over sovereign risk led reserve managers to limit or cut exposure to “peripheral” European countries; impact also felt in attitudes towards the euro
Slovakia closes four sub-branches of national bank
National Bank of Slovakia decides to close four of its nine sub-branches; study reveals cash circulation could be better managed with fewer branches
ECB’s Bini Smaghi calls for level playing field in prudential supervision
European Central Bank executive board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi says level playing field between European regulators would create more uniform bank resolution regime
Gold to hit $1,600 this year; GFMS survey
New survey by GFMS predicts price of gold could hit $1,600 per ounce by the end of 2011; survey captures swing to net purchases by central banks
FDIC projects return to black
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation expects its deposit insurance fund to return to positive figures this year after 13 quarters of negative funds
‘Disquieting developments’ in ETFs warrants attention: FSB
Financial Stability Board warns of potential issues arising from recent trends in exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
Risk management reforms a work in progress: IIF survey
Institute of International Finance survey says further progress on risk management reforms necessary; calls for more work to promote appropriate risk culture
FSB outlines road to shadow banking regulation
Financial Stability Board sets out detailed definition of shadow bank; outlines possible future steps to better regulate the system
Brazil prepares for Basel III
Brazilian financial stability report announces major changes will be incorporated in the country’s legislation; bringing it into line with Basel III