News
Central Bank of Kenya places third bank in receivership
Chase Bank under new management after resignation of chairman and managing director; Imperial Bank progress “postponed” while audit continues
Iosco considers response to ‘growing threat’ of cyber risk
Securities firms and regulators are at an early stage in responding to cyber threats, report finds, but examples of good practice are starting to emerge
ECB voices concerns over Hungarian National Bank
ECB expresses concern over recent actions by Hungary’s central bank, including purchase of art, land and Budapest stock exchange; says foundation money must not be used for state financing
BIS’s Shin argues bank capital underpins both monetary policy and financial stability
Research sheds light on tension between bank shareholders and wider society, as high levels of capital support lending and therefore affect the real economy as well as the financial sector
Senior deputy plays down Indonesia’s external debt burden
Mirza Adityaswara says debt burden safer than it looks; defends mandate requiring domestic deals be made in rupiah and admits loan rates "probably too high" at Hong Kong conference
Ingves raises fundamental questions about central banking
Riksbank governor sets out questions around monetary policy and macro-prudential framework in Sweden, raising the prospect of a merger with the FSA and joining the SSM
People: Shirai begins new chapter at Keio University; Sibley named as Irish director of credit institutions
After five years on the BoJ policy board, Shirai returns to academia; Ireland central bank names new director of credit institutions; and more
RBA establishes new macro modelling division
External review recommends new approach to “full-system” models at heart of policy analysis, warning modelling expertise is limited at the central bank
Swiss National Bank bolsters security features of first banknote in new series
The new series printed on three-layered substrate boasts a range of new security features; Sfr50 enters circulation on April 12
Ghanaian deputy becomes new governor
One of two deputy governors of the Bank of Ghana takes over top role; Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku joined bank in July 2013 after working for several international agencies
Investors to sue Portuguese central bank over asset writedown
A group of bondholders in a failed bank are bringing a lawsuit against the Portuguese central bank over its writedown of their holdings in a failed commercial bank
People: Bank of Estonia reappoints deputies; Lagarde wants to reappoint IMF first deputy
Bank of Estonia hands new terms to Ülo Kaasik and Madis Müller; David Lipton in line for reappointment at IMF; Graeme Wheeler to head up BIS Asian Consultative Council; and more
Seychelles central bank will chair new financial stability committee
Advisory body will comprise representatives from four different public bodies and meet on a quarterly basis; supported by new financial stability unit within central bank
Reserve Bank of India modifies liquidity framework
Rajan spells out plans to “progressively lower” the liquidity deficit in the banking system as part of a broader shift in focus; RBI cuts policy rate by 25bp with inflation on track
Bank of Thailand frets over zero lower bound
Minutes show latest policy decision influenced by worries over financial imbalances and perceived need to maintain “policy space” in event of economic hit
West African union must improve monetary transmission, IMF staff say
The West African Economic and Monetary Union must increase the effectiveness of monetary policy, IMF staff say; reforms should target bank refinancing and government securities markets
Dutch central bank starts retaining €500m yearly as risk provision
The Netherlands Bank plans to retain €3bn of profits in six annual instalments to cover against possible credit and interest rate risk
Norway’s Olsen plans to seek reappointment
Norges Bank governor says he plans to seek a second term, as government launches public application process for position
Chicago and Cleveland Fed presidents back gradual path for rate increases
Charles Evans is “comfortable” with tightening implied by latest round of dot plots; he and Loretta Mester spell out outlooks for growth and inflation and risks surrounding them
Europe set for new Greek clash as Lagarde hits back over leaks
IMF chief has sharp words for the Greek prime minister after staff phone conversation is posted online by Wikileaks; debt relief remains a major sticking point as July repayment looms
Tax system severely reduces Italian banks’ profits – paper
Disparities in eurozone countries’ effective tax rates for their banking sectors may threaten banks’ ability to strengthen their capital, a Bank of Italy paper argues
Basel Committee flags further issues with bank modelling
Second study of variation in credit risk modelling using internal ratings-based approach sheds further light on what is causing banks to calculate significantly different capital requirements
Central bank gold purchases near record levels
World Gold Council argues negative interest rates make gold a favourable asset, but Thomson Reuters team sees other factors at play
Redesigned digital currency could keep central banks in control
Researchers at UCL launch “RSCoin” idea, highlighting its superiority over bitcoin; new digital currency framework would be controlled by central banks