News
Sarb reveals details of new banknotes
South African Reserve Bank initiates national campaign about introduction of new banknotes; currency bearing image of Nelson Mandela will be in circulation by end of year
Norway releases coin to mark anniversary of suffrage
Norges Bank issues special edition coin on 100th anniversary of introduction of voting rights for women; competition winner designed reverse of coin
Tributes to the governor that never was (Andrew Crockett, 1943-2012)
Bank of England, BIS and IMF heads pay respects to policymaker Andrew Crockett, who died this week. Crockett described as the governor ‘that never was’ and the ‘midwife’ to the HKMA
Kenya central bank slashes rates as others hold ahead of ECB decision
Positive developments in economy lead Kenyan central bank to make large rate cut as central banks in Australia, Canada, Israel, Thailand and Poland all keep rates on hold ahead of ECB decision
HKMA moves to improve retail payments system
Hong Kong unveils a three-pronged approach to improve payments system; targets transfers denominated in renminbi as well as the Hong Kong dollar
Central banks are major driver of gold prices, says GFMS
Latest Thomson Reuters GFMS gold survey finds central banks are supporting gold prices via large purchases; adverse economic climate and quantitative easing also contributing to price increase
Central Bank of Nigeria rebuts ‘false rumours’ on currency plans
Statement by Nigeria’s central bank attempts to correct ‘dangerous misrepresentations’ about currency restructuring; denies accusations new 5,000 naira banknote will be costly and cause inflation
Central Bank of Myanmar embraces radical overhaul
Central bank close to securing operational independence and staffing needed to manage monetary policy and foreign exchange; aggressive banking, payments and capital markets reform on its agenda
Moody’s changes EU credit rating outlook to negative
Credit rating agency says move reflects alterations to rating outlooks for core eurozone countries; all eyes on ECB for rate decision later this week
Sarb chief economist announces early retirement
Monde Mnyande leaves South African Reserve Bank after 17 years of service; served on MPC and Financial Stability Committee
Spain’s Frob reveals first tranche of funding for Bankia
Fund for Orderly Bank Restructuring agrees on initial bailout funds for BFA-Bankia; concerns raised over whether speed of recapitalisation will be sufficient to restore confidence
RBA holds rate as global growth softens
Stable inflation, close to target domestic growth and 'subdued' international economic picture lead Reserve Bank of Australia board to leave benchmark rate at 3.5%
BoJ officials took pay cuts in wake of natural disaster
Annual review shows officers at Bank of Japan took pay cuts to support rebuilding efforts following 2011 earthquake; central bank sees increase in profits
Central Bank of Nigeria stays firm over currency changes
List of frequently asked questions makes it clear overhaul plans are here to stay; central bank fails to offer direct response to criticism from government
SNB’s Jordan defends decision not to activate capital buffer
Thomas Jordan explains the choice not to activate counter-cyclical capital buffer; nevertheless says this is ‘far from an all-clear’ as the risk of further imbalances persists
Bank of Lithuania launches new cash management service
Cash Service opens for business in centralised location; new body aimed at reducing cost of ensuring good quality currency is in circulation in the country at all times
BIS chief advocates deeper policy cooperation
Jaime Caruana calls on central banks to consider international implications of domestic monetary policy; says segmenting markets does not make sense
BoE executive director slates complex regulation
Andrew Haldane criticises the length of legislation recently introduced in the US and Europe; appeals for a simpler approach to financial regulation
Bernanke disappoints markets by revealing little about QE3
Ben Bernanke’s Jackson Hole speech gets muted response from markets; gives no clear indication of whether third round of quantitative easing is forthcoming
UK banks reveal size of eurozone funding gaps
Banks reduce cross-border funding of peripheral eurozone assets in an attempt to mitigate redenomination risk - but funding gap still tops £10 billion for Spain
RBNZ appoints new head of financial markets
Reserve Bank of New Zealand announces commercial banker as new chief of financial markets department; takes up his position in September
State Bank of Vietnam announces counterfeit note findings
Fewer fake polymer notes were found in the country in the first half of 2012; good news for the currency after scandal involving Securency
Central Bank of Brazil cuts rates as uncertainty persists
Monetary policy committee votes unanimously for 50-basis-point rate cut; further reductions remain a possibility
Trinidad and Tobago governor looks to empower ombudsman
The governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago outlines plans to tackle financial inclusion; hopes to legally equip ombudsman and improve financial literacy