News
Project Helvetia proves central banks can use tokenised assets – BIS
Benoît Cœuré says project marks “the beginning of the further evolution of central banking”
BoE needs ‘better handle’ on control of UK currency
Lawmakers highlight the UK’s disjointed cash management, which could put consumers at risk, they say
Norges Bank deputy governor resigns over security clearance
Deputy governor in charge of world’s largest SWF denied clearance because of wife’s residence in China
Colombia draws on IMF’s FCL funds for first time
Government resorted to $5.4 billion drawing to help meet higher pandemic financing needs
Lane’s calls to investors stir controversy ahead of key ECB meeting
Chief economist’s private discussions with investors after policy meetings come under scrutiny
Christopher Waller narrowly passes Senate vote
St Louis Fed economist approved for Fed governor role, despite opposition from Democrats
Pressure from Facebook may speed up digital euro development – panellists
ECB does not plan to announce whether it will proceed with digital euro proof of concept until mid-2021
Centralisation key to digitising central banks – ECB conference
Bank of Italy studies use of machine learning to boost supervisory capabilities
Brazil central bank could ‘test’ lower rates if inflation remains weak – IMF
IMF staff see “no constraint” to lower rates as long as forward guidance is deployed
BoE prepares to launch sharia-compliant liquidity facility
Special-purpose vehicle will be structured as a ‘wakalah’ or fund-based liquidity facility
Saudis and UAE say shared CBDC is technically possible
“Project Aber” shows DLT can be used to upgrade cross-border payments, central banks say
Pandemic accelerates decline in eurozone cash usage – ECB
During 2016-19 cash gradually declined as means of payment, but was still first option
Dollar Libor reprieve sparks fallback uncertainty
Popular settings to end in June 2023; market seeks clarity over timing of fallback spread triggers
Lebanese parliament demands central bank audit
Lawmakers say vote overrules banking secrecy laws and central bank must release documents
ECB’s asset buying should drop ‘market neutrality’ – Rehn
Finnish governor says ECB should adopt green principles, but Bundesbank’s Weidmann is opposed
Singapore non-bank firms can use real-time payments systems – MAS
“Major payment institutions” will be able to use two real-time systems from February 2021
Gambian president appoints new governor
Senior bureaucrat at finance ministry takes role as previous governor becomes trade minister
ECB sets new climate risk requirements for banks
Survey of eurozone banks shows most do not disclose basic climate-related data, ECB says
Rehn says ECB should adopt average inflation targeting
Finnish governor says current target has “asymmetric downward bias”
Covid-19 likely to have major effect on UK cash usage – BoE
Risk of Covid transmission via banknotes diminishes significantly over time, BoE study finds
MAS sets up grant scheme to encourage green loans
Singapore’s central bank will pay part of banks’ and other firms’ costs in hiring environmental advisers
Jim Wolfensohn, 1933–2020
David Malpass leads tributes, saying former World Bank chief “transformed” the way it did business
Phillipines central bank says new website has improved comms
BSP says website’s mobile-friendly design and chatbot has boosted effectiveness
Sveriges Riksbank announces big QE boost
Swedish central bank increases size, scope and duration of asset purchases