News
IMF’s Lagarde warns on global growth
Managing director says next week’s assessment of world economy will bring bad news with regard to growth; urges increased co-operation to renew economic recovery
‘Unofficial dollarisation’ raises significant stability risks, ECB study finds
Emerging markets with large holdings of ‘hard’ currency assets and liabilities are exposed to substantial stability risks and policy failure, finds ECB study
Brazil and South Korea cut rates amid economic gloom
Central Bank of Brazil and Bank of Korea cut interest rates due to poor economic outlook and declines in indicators; Brazil marks eighth consecutive reduction while Korea makes first cut since 2009
EBA says banks did not sell assets or cut lending due to 9% capital rule
EBA claims banks have not substantially cut risk-weighted assets or lending to meet new minimum core Tier 1 ratio; actions were part of a series of measures agreed by the European Council in October
Asian central banks press ahead with OTC derivatives reform
Reserve Bank of India launches OTC derivatives trade repository; HKMA reveals results of consultation on derivatives regulation
Central Bank of Ireland slams ‘poor’ investment firm practices
Inspections by Central Bank of Ireland identify inadequate best execution practices by investment and stockbroking companies; requires remedial action by August 31
CFTC-SEC swap ruling starts Dodd-Frank compliance race
Publication of swap rule will mark start of 60-day countdown to compliance with registration and reporting rules. Industry will find it 'quite challenging' warns CFTC's O'Malia
Bank of Lithuania takes next step in structural overhaul
New banking service aims to promote efficient investment operations and mitigate risk; comprises third step in central bank’s restructuring programme
Russia takes lead in gold purchases in May
Latest World Gold Council figures show Bank of Russia increased gold reserves by largest amount in May; council says emerging markets purchases viewed as a part of ‘broader theme’
Spain’s Frob shakes up management ahead of bailouts
Fund for Orderly Bank Restructuring (Frob) selects new general manager from Spanish government among other senior appointments; first €30 billion of bailout funds to be handled by the Frob
Former governor of Croatian National Bank delivers fiery exit speech
Željko Rohatinski says he is ‘proud’ to pay the price for standing firm on tough decisions by losing his position as governor; criticises lack of ‘moral virtue’ in political circles
Eurogroup decides on three senior appointments
Decisions end speculation over leadership of the Eurogroup and the European Stability Mechanism; nomination also put forward for empty seat on ECB executive board
Agius confirms BoE governor’s intervention in Barclays
Chairman of Barclays recounts meeting with Mervyn King during which he was told Bob Diamond had lost the confidence of the regulator; following day the bank’s chief tendered his resignation
BoE’s Tucker denies involvement in Libor scandal
Paul Tucker says no members of the last government urged him to pressurise banks to alter Libor rates; claims no prior knowledge of Libor 'low balling' ahead of official investigations
Draghi says closer union will achieve stability in Europe
Mario Draghi says quality of reforms and implementation ‘absolutely essential’; sets out vision of future union based on financial, fiscal, economic and political integration
Regional Fed presidents express fears over economic recovery
Charles Evans and Eric Rosengren warn about struggling economic recovery; focus on employment figures as key indicator of persistent problems in the US
Bank of Korea finds slight increase in North Korean GDP for 2011
Estimates by Bank of Korea suggest North Korean GDP grew by 0.8% in 2011; represents first year of positive growth since 2008
Strict foreign exchange rules set to stay in Ukraine, says governor
Sergei Arbuzov explains why the National Bank of Ukraine keeps a tight rein on foreign exchange transactions; says temporary easing of rules for sporting tournament will not become permanent
Regulators set out margining proposals for OTC derivatives
Consultative report details planned margining requirements for non-centrally cleared derivatives; presents seven principles for determining margins
Lagarde calls for US to deal with ‘fiscal cliff’ and global co-operation
IMF chief puts concerns in the US on par with those in Europe and the slowdown in Brazil, China and India during speech in Tokyo; says G-20 co-operation could boost global GDP by 7%
Brazil and South Africa agree supervisory co-operation
Central Bank of Brazil and South African Reserve Bank sign MoU to promote banking supervision; clears the way for domestic banks to build businesses in both markets
McCafferty to replace Posen on BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee
UK Treasury names CBI economics adviser, Ian McCafferty, to replace Adam Posen on the Bank of England’s monetary policy board
Thailand unveils royal family commemorative banknotes
Bank of Thailand reveals two new banknotes to mark Queen’s 80th birthday and the Crown Prince’s 60th birthday; special security features are included
Norway’s SWF adds $340m of property to portfolio
Norwegian sovereign wealth fund buys stakes in French property worth $340 million; aims to expand real estate investments into other European markets