International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Paper uses machine learning to nowcast GDP in Lebanon
Working paper published by IMF explores use of machine learning technique in assessing economic conditions in Lebanon, where analysis is a ‘distinct challenge’ on account of data lags
Montenegro should create dedicated ELA ‘subaccount’ – IMF staff
Euroisation is hindering the Central Bank of Montenegro’s ability to act as lender of last resort; IMF staff call for a strengthening of ELA capacity through a “subaccount”
IMF’s Viñals announces ‘long and testing to-do list’ for policy-makers
Viñals says the plan for ‘great normalisation’ is more urgent than ever; calls for policy action beyond monetary and financial measures
Paper finds evidence in favour of ‘exchange-rate-anchored inflation targeting’
A working paper published by the IMF finds ‘tight management’ of the exchange rate can help support inflation targeting in ‘less developed countries’
Institutions agree to mission to check on Greek reforms
Representatives of European and international institutions have agreed to send a team to Athens to check on reform progress; visit is necessary to allow bail-out to continue
Ukraine eases domestic currency and forex restrictions
Ukraine’s central bank loosens restrictions on foreign and domestic currency deposit withdrawals; Gontareva says Ukraine is on track to hit inflation targets but warns of political risks
Renminbi to be identified in IMF Cofer database
IMF countries able to record renminbi holdings from October; inclusion in database recognises "continuing internationalisation" of currency, staff say
IMF welcomes Indian inflation progress, but RBI should ‘stand ready’
IMF welcomes progress made with inflation targeting in India; calls for “growth-friendly” fiscal consolidation to support monetary policy
Moldovan parliament nominates central bank governor
Moldovan parliamentary committee names a former senior manager with BNP Paribas to replace the embattled central bank head
Research calls for better understanding of ML/TF risks in Islamic finance
Working paper published by International Monetary Fund warns there is ‘no common understanding’; some risks may be the same as in conventional finance, but some may not
Snapshot: IMF reveals staff views on Argentina
IMF releases informal briefings compiled 2013-2015 in absence of Article IV; staff highlighted adverse effects of central bank and banking sector financing of government
IMF to publish informal briefings on Argentina
Staff compile informal briefings on countries when they fail to complete Article IV consultations; IMF will grant request from Argentina to publish those produced 2013-2015
IMF urges ‘comprehensive approach’ to growth that reduces reliance on monetary policy
International Monetary Fund calls for coordinated policy response ahead of G20 meetings; policy-makers ‘must act now’ to implement strategies
IMF staff want better co-ordination between Kyrgyz government and central bank
Reforms are needed to strengthen the legal basis of the central bank and improve monetary policy traction in the country, staff say; better co-ordination is needed on government deposits
Lagarde reappointed as IMF managing director
Christine Lagarde is formally reappointed to lead the International Monetary Fund; early tasks facing her include Greek debt agreement
Strong action needed to tackle credit booms, research finds
Study of macro-prudential policy use in south-east Europe finds policies must be broad, powerful and carefully calibrated if they are to work
Bulgaria launches asset quality review and stress tests
Bulgaria’s central bank will conduct an asset quality review of commercial banks, followed by stress tests; the move is in response to the 2014 failure of the country’s fourth-largest bank
IMF paper questions ‘visceral opposition’ to inflow controls
Guilty by association: controls on capital inflows “inextricably” linked to those on outflows, paper says; controls not “worse” or “costlier” than other policy tools
Ukrainian central bank calls for parliament to pass consumer protection law
Ukraine’s central bank has called for the country’s parliament to pass two stalled laws aimed at protecting consumers of financial services as concerns grow over provision of foreign aid
Austria should ‘stand ready’ to tighten capital requirements, IMF staff say
The country has made ‘significant progress’ in restructuring the regulatory and supervisory framework, the report says, but the banking sector's resilience could be strengthened
Lagarde only candidate for IMF top job
Executive board says Lagarde the only person put forward during nomination period, which closed yesterday; selection process to be completed ‘as soon as possible’
NZ has ample space to respond to risks – IMF staff
An International Monetary Fund staff report says there is room to ease monetary policy further if need be, while authorities should prepare more prudential measures
IMF staff call for clarity on Morocco macro-prudential body
Staff report calls on government to clarify powers of inter-agency committee chaired by central bank governor; separate assessment details work on toolkit
IMF staff urge caution on Kyrgyz de-dollarisation plans
Central bank plans to support borrowers with foreign currency exposures, but IMF team warns this must be backed by other policies; action also needed on central bank independence, it says