Official Record
Sri Lanka must be more competitive, central bank argues
Annual report for 2016 proposes host of reforms for improving Sri Lanka’s global competitiveness, warning country missed “many” opportunities to become developed nation
Fresh exchange rate cap remains an option – CNB minutes
Minutes of extraordinary meeting say exchange rate commitment or other unconventional tools cannot be ruled out if deflation risks re-emerge
‘Urgent’ action needed to boost bank profits – BoJ report
Financial system report notes bank profit margins have been squeezed, but says sufficient capital is supporting lending for the time being
Volatile housing market puts RBA under pressure
Variations in housing growth and prices ramp up risk to financial stability, RBA minutes show; regulator to consider further measures “if needed”
DLT not ‘mature enough’ for eurozone usage, ECB says
ECB’s annual report explores progress with distributed ledger technology, emphasising it is still in its infancy; DLT could eventually be used for Europe’s payment and securities settlement systems
Lebanese banking sector holding up, despite Syria crisis – central bank
The banking sector remains liquid and well capitalised despite a “strained” Lebanese economy, the central bank says; new compliance unit formed
Kashkari rejects Dimon’s claims on too big to fail
Minneapolis Fed chief rebuts assertion by JP Morgan CEO that US banks are no longer too big to fail; says capital is too low, not too high
FOMC mulls ‘predictable’ balance sheet wind-down
One FOMC member says a “minimum pace” should be set for the reduction in mortgage-backed securities; committee will inform the public about its future plans for the balance sheet when the time comes
Senior central bank officials defend globalisation
Dombret and Mminele argue against the idea that globalisation is causing high unemployment and low growth, while stressing the negative impacts of protectionist trade policies
Danes claim top spot for EU card payments
Danish people use cards more than any other European Union nation, central bank report says, with electronic payments widespread
Fed income drops in 2016
Central bank remits less to US Treasury as interest income declines and operating costs rise; passage of "Fast Act" changes remittance process
SNB annual report sheds light on equity investing strategy
Central bank details approach to investing around 20% of its foreign exchange reserves in equities, including diversification, activism and avoidance of political considerations
London financial sector likely to ‘lose prominence’ following Brexit, says Sarb bulletin
South Africa to watch developments in London closely following Brexit vote, as domestic banks decrease exposures to the UK
BoJ minutes highlight hopeful signs for Japanese economy
Members highlight “more solid” recovery supported by a pick-up in exports and production, although inflation is still sluggish
Kashkari explains his sole FOMC dissent
Minneapolis chief reminds his colleagues the Fed treats 2% inflation as a target, not a ceiling; urges FOMC to publish plan for shrinking balance sheet
Daily open market operations paying off – National Bank of Denmark
Introduction of daily open market operations has smoothed liquidity management, stabilising the money market reference rate
Danish GDP revision helps solve productivity puzzle – bank
Figures better capture details of the current account, leading to substantial revisions in GDP and productivity growth, the Danish central bank finds
Danish central bank advocates specific cyber security testing
Survey shows only 50% of financial institutions specifically test their crisis response plans against cyber attacks; cyber security needs to be backed by senior management
Norges Bank increases staffing in 2016
Annual report shows 8% increase in staff levels, as well as changes to the governance structure; central bank makes a slight loss due to exchange rate movements
Pace of Brazil's monetary easing could increase, minutes show
Copom says evolution of economic performance and the level of the structural interest rate will dictate pace of easing cycle; fiscal policy could reduce structural interest rate
Fed could raise rates ‘fairly soon’ – minutes
Minutes show committee members will be watching labour and inflation data very closely; raising rates would offer “flexibility” in responding to economic changes
Uncertainty about momentum in the labour market – RBA minutes
“Mixed” picture in Australian labour market shows unemployment increasing alongside full-time employment; spare capacity likely to persist “for some time”
IMF praises BCEAO’s latest policy actions
Latest round of measures will result in stronger banking sector, mission chief says; rejuvenation of interbank market will help monetary policy effectiveness
Riksbank sees need for expansionary policy, despite rising inflation
Inflation in Sweden is now close to target, and expected to overshoot, but the central bank is holding policy steady with an eye on political uncertainty