Official Record
IMF unveils new data strategy
Fund’s first ever “overarching strategy” on data envisages new approach to gathering, processing and sharing statistics
Brazil nears end of easing cycle as rates hit fresh low
Committee signals there will likely be a pause in rate cuts soon, as inflation evolves “more benignly than expected”
Tajikistan cuts policy rate as inflation stabilises
Central bank says inflation is more stable and falling, creating room for cuts
UK’s PSR needs powers to protect cash – report
Think-tank report believes regulator should have consumer protection mandate, as cash machine closure threatens to leave the public excluded from payments network
ECB sets up co-operation programme with South African central bank
MoU is sixth high-level technical agreement with G20 central bank
BoE’s FPC sees risks lurking in global debt markets
Committee highlights “material” global vulnerabilities, particularly in debt markets
Norway maintains countercyclical capital buffer at 2%
Norges Bank advises the government not to reduce the buffer because of high household debt
ECB publishes updated NPL guidance
Central bank recommends stricter framework than European Commission
Norges Bank board strikes more bullish tone on outlook
Stronger signs from the economy prompt the central bank to bring forward plans for first hike; new inflation target will have limited effect on policy, central bank says
Denmark is entering a boom – central bank
The Nordic country is benefiting from the growth in export markets, including the US and eurozone
Norwegian SWF invested $1.9 billion in unlisted real estate in 2017
The fund obtained a 7.5% return in a part of its portfolio that amounts to $28 billion
BoJ policymakers eye hopeful signs for inflation
Policy remains on hold as inflation shows some signs of greater strength; one member calls for further easing measures
Mobile money taking off in Rwanda – report
Central bank documents an increase in both users and volume of transactions across mobile financial services
Bank of Canada on hold as council remains cautious
Officials see the need for further rate hikes in future, but say trade policy in the US is creating uncertainty for Canada
Bank of Korea unveils changes to its DSGE model
The existing model’s accuracy was reduced following structural changes in the economy
Some ECB governing council members wanted softer QE language – minutes
Governing council members also cautious over future exchange rate movements
UK figures reveal 1.47 million people out of work
While the employment rate has continued to rise, the rate of unemployment has increased by the sharpest level in almost five years
Higher inflation in the US pushes up yields
The headline consumer price index rose by 2.1% year on year
Brexit ‘surprises’ could delay rate hikes, IMF says
If negotiations affect wage growth or “depress demand”, the BoE could make monetary policy more expansionary, staff say
UK inflation refuses to budge from 3%
Despite a decline in oil price pressure, UK inflation remains above target; latest figures increase the likelihood of the Bank of England raising rates in May
EBA issues updated list of risk indicators
European Banking Authority sets out latest indicators and “detailed risk analysis tools”
IMF urges Indonesian authorities to focus on policy transmission
Interest rate caps and limited banking competition have left market interest rates “slow to adapt” to changes in monetary policy
Central banks built up gold reserves in 2017
2017 sees eighth consecutive year of net purchases, though only a handful of central banks made substantial changes
BoJ board notes disappointing inflation indicators
Low inflation and expectations in a “weakening phase” drag on BoJ’s policy outlook