News
Riksbank presents monetary policy report to Swedish parliament
Swedish central bank outlines monetary policy decisions from 2011; reveals international pressures hampered growth
SNB’s Jordan describes task of maintaining franc exchange limit
Thomas Jordan sets out how the Swiss National Bank has been fighting to keep the franc-to-euro exchange limit in place; explains slight slip-up last week allowing some trades to happen at lower rate
Bank of Japan holds off rate change and further easing
Japanese central bank acknowledges "critical challenge" of overcoming deflation, but keeps rate unchanged for now
Bank of Thailand opens representative office in Beijing
Thai central bank opens office in Beijing; third foreign representative office aimed at developing “understanding” of China’s economic developments
China raises QFII quota by $50bn to $80bn
Chinese authorities more than double the investment quota available to approved foreign institutional investors wanting to invest directly into China’s restricted financial markets
Korean government issuers unlikely to benefit if sovereign is upgraded – Moody's
Government-related issuers not likely to be upgraded alongside Korean sovereign as rating agencies place more weight on underlying credit fundamentals
Central banks well placed to deliver on macro-prudential policy, says ECB’s Constâncio
ECB vice-president outlines macro-prudential roles for European central banks
SNB set to keep rates low and maintain floor
Accommodative monetary policy likely to continue as growth slows in Switzerland; international climate and strength of currency continue to worry Swiss National Bank, according to annual report
Italy could face more swap terminations
Italian politicians claim Morgan Stanley's swap termination in January will be a one-off - but dealers say Italy's debt office is subject to other clauses that could have the same effect
QE3 prospects diminish slightly after FOMC minutes release
FOMC minutes provoke fresh questions as to likelihood of further QE; Fed board members cautious on growth prospects
House of Lords committee slams Europe’s proposed Tobin tax
A committee of UK lawmakers hits out at European Commission proposal to introduce a new financial transaction tax in the European Union
Draghi places emphasis on governments to drive EU growth
ECB president says national policy-makers must take measures to develop the competitiveness of their economies; downside risks prevalent for euro economy
SIG to keep an open mind on RWA probe, says Himino
The Basel Committee’s standards implementation group has begun an investigation into RWA consistency, but chair Ryozo Himino says there might be good reasons for discrepancies
BoE’s Bean named next president of Royal Economic Society
Bank of England deputy governor named president-elect of Royal Economic Society; will take over as president in April next year
Business confidence remains low in Japan
Latest Bank of Japan Tankan survey of Japanese companies shows confidence has not improved in last quarter
Countries named and shamed over Basel regulation delays
Basel Committee releases progress update on regulation implementation; highlights slow progress in some countries
Bank of Slovenia forecasts economic contraction in 2012
Bank of Slovenia forecasts 1.2% contraction in 2012: revised budget in April expected to contain further fiscal tightening
IMF funding aids Sri Lanka in building reserves
Central Bank of Sri Lanka notes role IMF loans have played in helping build reserves in the country; latest tranche received on April 2
Nigerian central bank adds new departments
Central Bank of Nigeria creates new departments to 'enhance operations'; three new female directors appointed
ESRB supports flexibility in EU legislation
European Systemic Risk Board backs flexible approach in EU legislation governing macro-prudential policy
Bernanke stresses financial stability role of central banks
Fed chairman says central banks must treat financial stability and monetary policy as equally important; discusses new regulatory regime as he delivers final student lecture in series
Stark says contagion threat has been ‘overstated’
Former European Central Bank executive board member says risk of contagion in the eurozone has been “overstated” since the start of the financial crisis
Islamic Financial Services Board issues new guiding principles
New guidelines focus on liquidity risk management and stress testing for institutions offering Islamic financial services; new members added at latest meeting
HKMA settles on staff pay increase
Hong Kong Monetary Authority decides to raise staff wages by more than 5%; constitutes a larger increase than was awarded in 2011