Official Record
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
Do not ban cryptocurrencies – DNB
Central bank says a ban would be difficult to enforce and could impede innovation
Kenya not yet ready for more accommodative policy – Njoroge
Central Bank of Kenya leaves rates on hold despite well-anchored inflation and greater optimism; policymakers will continue to monitor interest rate cap impact
Angola drops dollar for euro in new exchange rate regime
Kwanza depreciates 11.5% against the dollar following regime change
New US tax plan promising for growth – Fed minutes
FOMC members revise the growth outlook upwards for next 12 months, as tax cuts promise to provide “some boost” to consumer spending
Rwandan central bank cuts rates to historical low
Inflation falls from 6.4% to 2.2% in 12 months; growth supported by higher commodity prices and improved agricultural performance
BoE exploring ways to improve gender balance
Deputy governor wants HR department to investigate movement from manager to senior manager; senior group looks into how to support women preparing for heads of division roles
Amended NSFR accommodates extraordinary monetary policy
Basel Committee issues its first technical amendment to the net stable funding ratio, to allow flexibility in the treatment of liquidity-absorbing operations
Bank of Japan keeps policy setting on hold
BoJ keeps policy on hold as inflation target remains elusive; Goshi Kataoka dissents again
Some banks’ living wills have ‘shortcomings’ – US agencies
The latest assessment finds previous “deficiencies” have been corrected, but four banks show less serious “shortcomings”
Riksbank moves towards normalisation; interest rate on hold
Executive board votes to keep the interest rate at –0.5%; says it will end QE programme in December 2017
BoE expects UK inflation slowdown
Bank of England keeps rates on hold at 0.5%; disinflationary base effects likely to outweigh tightening labour market in near term