Official Record
Latvian annual report reveals reserves diversification
Bank of Latvia publishes annual report for 2012; reveals 15% increase in foreign reserves and diversification into Canadian and Singapore dollar-denominated assets
Belize annual report details financial stability measures
Central Bank of Belize publishes annual report for 2012; establishes financial stability unit to explore macro-prudential surveillance and introduces measures to reduce share of NPLs
UAE central bank annual report shows sharp balance sheet expansion
Annual report for 2012 sees balance sheet growth driven largely by higher foreign exchange purchases; prudential measures implemented to shore up banking system
Fed minutes hint at end to era of expansion
A number of participants would like to adjust asset purchases downwards as early as next month, pending positive economic data
National Bank of Hungary optimistic on SME lending
Hungarian central bank releases latest financial stability report; suggests new funding-for-growth scheme will lead to a recovery in lending this year
Central Bank of Ireland stresses importance of long-term bank profitability
Irish macro-financial review highlights need for banks to support the real economy with credit at sustainable rates; increases in bank profitability also necessary for long-term sustainability
Maldives annual report finds inflation back in check after 2011 devaluation
Monetary Authority of the Maldives annual economic review describes tough year for the tourism-dependent country, but the dollar-pegged currency is appreciating to the upper end of its band
RBA minutes show rate cut decision made in spite of home loans growth
Australia's monetary policy decision-makers judged it was time to use ‘some of the scope' they have to loosen monetary policy, given the steady inflation outlook
National Bank of Slovakia issues 2012 annual report
Annual report highlights ongoing macro environment challenges, and deeper involvement in the operation of the Eurosystem
National Bank of Denmark details FMI implementation progress
Central bank working with financial market infrastructure providers to ‘interpret and translate’ the CPSS-Iosco principles into a form applicable to Denmark
Portuguese central bank says austerity has hit long-term economic potential
Bank of Portugal annual report finds economy has contracted 7.2% since 2010, thanks to pro-cyclical fiscal contraction that 'may have a long-lasting negative impact on potential growth'
Central Bank of Kenya cracks down on crime
Report highlights ‘significant progress’ in strengthening defences against money laundering; optimistic about development of banking sector ‘despite 2013 being an election year’
Reserve Bank of Australia publishes monetary policy statement
RBA Monetary Policy Statement says cash rate could change further 'to foster sustainable growth and low inflation'
Bank of Spain financial stability report finds ratio of bad loans still growing
Contraction in new lending to households and businesses, combined with a poor macroeconomic environment, means Spanish bank loan books are on average not improving
Central Bank of Ireland annual report sees assets drop and profits rise
Recovery in Irish economy in 2012 led to lower reliance on US dollar liquidity and continued increase in central bank profits; governor urges continued commitment from external stakeholders
Sri Lankan inflation drops one-third in two months
Central bank reveals inflation drop for second successive month; had earlier hinted at rate cut if slide continued
BoE statistics indicate gradual lending improvement
Lending targeted by funding for lending scheme continues to creep towards positive figures; large gap between lending to individuals and to businesses
Riksbank doves defeated on rate cuts despite broad support for easing, minutes show
Minutes reveal that despite unanimous support for ‘more expansionary’ monetary policy, majority of board members voted to hold rates due to household debt fears
Bangladesh Bank pioneers annual report on green banking
Report measures contribution of central bank and commercial banks to green finance; Bangladesh Bank refinances lending for ‘environmentally beneficial’ projects
G-20 report says move from stabilisation to growth requires ‘difficult balancing act’
G-20 meeting report urges carefully calibrated fiscal tightening to ‘nurture’ recovery; backs accommodative monetary policy and says emerging markets should use rapid growth to build buffers
African growth could be ‘derailed’ by geopolitical tensions
South African Reserve Bank fears terrorism in continent’s key growth economies and heightened risk of social unrest could harm Africa’s growth prospects; also concerned by domestic unemployment
ECB annual report strikes hopeful note at end of rough year
Report highlights peak in financial market stress in mid-year, but says policy measures were effective in reducing this later in year; inflation above target and growth on downward slide
Bank of Canada annual report highlights banknote success
New series of polymer banknotes introduced in 2012 as counterfeiting continues to fall; inflation kept shackled throughout year but falls below target in December
Netherlands Bank highlights ‘major risk’ of European crisis escalating
Financial stability report says danger from European debt crisis still looms large; warns of longer-term risks including addiction to low interest rates and incomplete banking union