Official Record
Riksbank survey flags concerns on market functioning
Market participants fear effect of low interest rates and high debt could create largest impact, although they view geopolitical and emerging market issues as the most likely to be realised
Central Bank of Bahrain launched range of initiatives in 2015 – annual report
Last year the bank set up a Sharia supervisory board, launched Islamic liquidity facilities, set to work on Basel III and upgraded its IT systems
Bank of Zambia expects ‘sharp decline’ in inflation
Monetary policy stance having “desired” results, according the MPC, minutes from latest meeting show; bank leaves rate on hold at 15.5%
RBA minutes reveal discussion around rate cut
No real change in economic activity or unemployment rate, minutes show; committee 'persuaded' monetary easing would improve prospects for inflation and growth
Iceland central bank suggests tightening to come
Many domestic factors set Iceland apart from other industrialised countries, and it may need to adopt a tighter policy stance in future
BoJ board members fear negative rates are damaging
Minutes show concerns over the effects of negative rates on confidence, communication and market turbulence
Riksbank urges FMIs to work against cyber threats on strategic level
Survey reveals not all FMIs have strategy to counteract cyber threats; Riksbank suggests work needs to be done at a “strategic level”
Rajan sided with the consensus, minutes show
RBI governor cuts rates in line with views of external advisers; four of the five members wanted to reduce the repo rate at the April 5 meeting
‘Challenging' year spurs diversification of Hong Kong's exchange fund
HKMA says it is accelerating its process of reserves diversification after it was hit by a "triple whammy" in all major asset classes in 2015
National Bank of Romania flags ‘severe systemic risk’ posed by legislative framework
Central bank publishes first of two financial stability reports due this year, after change in policy; stresses concerns over range of legislative initiatives, including "debt discharge" law
Conditions for lifting capital controls ‘could hardly be better' – Guðmundsson
Central Bank of Iceland governor says it is important to press ahead with liberalisation while the economy is strong and financial system stable, in latest financial stability report
Prudential measures may create risks for developers – RBA
Tighter regulations designed to tackle housing risks may cause problems for large building projects started before the tougher rules came in
Bank of England to react ‘more cautiously’ to data in light of EU referendum
Uncertainty over referendum to affect macroeconomic data over next few months; inflation rising but still well below BoE target
Some Fed officials concerned April hike would ‘signal a sense of urgency’
Minutes from March meeting reveal caution around prospect of a hike this month, given prevailing headwinds and risks; next meeting on April 26–27
SNB made investment ‘innovations’ in 2015, report says
Central bank made first investments in new assets and began to wield voting rights to influence corporate governance in 2015, annual report shows
Sweden’s Riksbank has mixed forecasting performance, report finds
Riksbank “relatively good” at projecting growth and unemployment, but less so when it comes to the policy rate; this is “notable” and not “particularly satisfactory”, report notes
BoE alert to second-round effects from low inflation, minutes show
BoE enters eighth year with rate at 0.5%; committee will continue to watch for second-round effects of inflation on wages
Zimbabwe central bank calls for flexibility on SME credit
Number of areas still at risk from financial exclusion; only 14% of MSME owners were banked, and only 1% of the adult population used capital market services in 2014
Inflation target and interest rates about right, UK survey suggest
Median expectations of inflation for 2016 were 1.8%; largest share of UK public says it is best for the economy if interest rates stay where they are
Central Bank of Brazil calls for structural reforms
Inflation figures come down, but still nowhere near target range; central bank calls on government to ensure fiscal consolidation in longer-term
UK payments regulator notes expansion of indirect access providers
Industry response to financial crime regulation has deterred indirect access providers from catering for smaller payment service providers, report says
Norges Bank organisational changes geared towards better investment
Revamp of organisational structure is mainly focused on improving the governance of the sovereign wealth fund, which delivered a return of 2.7% despite turbulence last year, annual report reveals
Slovakian central bank boosts provisions for financial risks
National Bank of Slovakia records gross profit of €144.6 million in 2015, as both income and operating costs fall
Report finds 11% of Rwandans remain financially excluded
Women and younger people more likely to be financially excluded; share of population excluded falls from 28% to 11%