International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Free trade agreement to boost growth in Africa – IMF research
Smaller economies are more likely to benefit from more open trade conditions in the continent
Global imbalances require ‘carefully calibrated’ policies – IMF
Report comes as G20 leaders warn about imbalances concentrated in advanced economies
Romania’s Mugur Isarescu on independence in a ‘post-truth’ world
National Bank of Romania veteran governor speaks to Christopher Jeffery about the country’s shift to a market economy, challenges in the eurozone and independence in a ‘post-truth’ world
Lagarde sends warning on US corporate and fiscal debt
Non-financial corporate liabilities reached nearly $20 trillion in Q1 2019, Fed data shows
Costa Rica lowers reserve requirements on domestic currency
Move follows IMF recommendation to boost domestic currency use in highly dollarised economy
Carney warns of ‘global liquidity trap’
BoE governor says model of “capital flows at risk” highlights important vulnerabilities, but reserves may still be too big
Kenya’s rate controls caused ‘collapse’ in credit – IMF paper
Caps undermined central bank’s control over signalling policy stance, researchers find
Colombian central bank suspends reserves accumulation
Board wants to assess the impact higher reserves may have on the peso’s exchange rate
Dominican Republic announces easing measure
It is necessary to react to “unstable” global economy, governor Héctor Valdez Albizu says
Zimbabwe reaches IMF agreement to deal with currency crisis
‘RTGS dollar’ will be supported by advice from IMF programme
Central bank independence key to Ecuador programme – IMF
Fund is expected to sign off on first review of extended fund facility in June, providing $250 million
IMF paper urges central banks to seek wider audience
Central banks could do more to broaden their message, senior official says; financial stability communications still challenging
IMF publishes first review of programmes since financial crisis
Directors say growth assumptions are often unrealistic and call for closer look at debt restructuring
Johannes Witteveen, 1921–2019
Witteveen headed IMF during one of the most turbulent periods in monetary history
New IMF data reveals non-banks drive capital flows when global risks rise
Evidence can be used to analyse how changes in industry mix can impact capital flow volatility, researchers say
IMF and World Bank develop system to support debt management
System provides methodology and analytical tools for countries in the process of adopting these techniques
IMF staff strike deal for $6 billion Pakistan bailout
Mission chief says central bank should focus on inflation control and exchange rate flexibility
Capital outflows further reduce Turkey’s reserves in March
Current account deficit falls, but the economy’s weak external position remains unchanged
Ghana holds first Financial Stability Council meeting
Council was established after central bank confronted crisis in commercial lenders
Time for resilience
Events that impact markets have made it crucial to build resilient portfolios that are aware of downside risks. BlackRock explores the importance of protection in downturn scenarios for reserve managers.
Former IMF official appointed SBP governor
IMF’s Egypt representative takes helm at State Bank of Pakistan as country seeks fund support
Bank profitability is associated with lower systemic risk – IMF paper
Over-reliance on non-interest income can increase institutional and systemic risk, researchers find
IMF flags high public debt in Middle East oil exporters
Oil producers in the Mena region are expected to average budget deficits of 4% of GDP in 2019
Liquidity strain heightened since September – IMF’s GFSR
Regulations and investment innovations could be driving factors, the IMF report says