Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)
RBA takes action to cut interchange fees
Reserve Bank of Australia reduces interchange fee cap for Eftpos payments system by 30% to 12 cents; move follows swingeing cut in 2006
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: How governments are undermining world finance
Central bankers need to forcefully express their concerns about the unintended consequences of new regulatory policies
RBA moves closer to implementing real-time payments system
Reserve Bank of Australia publishes criteria for proposals of real-time consumer and business payments provision following consultations with the industry
RBA’s Stevens plays down Australian growth problems
Glenn Stevens calls talk of an end to the mining boom ‘over-hyped’, while the Chinese economy is not as weak as feared and there are some signs of a recovery in domestic demand
RBA’s ability to forecast put on trial
Discussion paper finds RBA forecasts inflation more accurately than GDP growth
Bank safety depends on more than high capital, says RBA’s Ellis
Reserve Bank of Australia’s Luci Ellis says higher capital levels alone do not guarantee a bank is safer than its competitors; depends on business model and risk attitudes
RBA seeks more transparency in securitisation market
Reserve Bank of Australia assistant governor says new information requirements in the securitisation market will enable financial institutions and investors to better assess risk
RBA assistant governor discusses impact of OTC repository licensing
Malcolm Edey considers how a licensing regime for trade repositories in OTC markets in Australia will impact the RBA; central banks to focus on market-monitoring, advisory and oversight
Australian CCP cannot delay margin application any further, says RBA
Reserve Bank of Australia says ASX Clear’s deadline for the implementation of equity margins has been extended but cannot be pushed back any further
Reserve Bank of Australia unexpectedly cuts rates
Board of Australian central bank lowers benchmark interest rate following weaker growth outlook as inflation falls further below target rate
RBA unveils details of new banknote programme
Reserve Bank of Australia releases details of plans to improve security features on its polymer banknotes. Scandal-hit Note Printing Australia to produce the new bills
RBA stability review offers update on D-Sibs
Reserve Bank of Australia provides update on new regulations for domestic systemically important banks
Reserve Bank of Australia annual report reveals government dividend
Annual report for 2011 details profits of more than a billion Australian dollars, nearly half of which will be paid to the government as a dividend
Australia’s Debelle discusses effect of rate cuts
Assistant governor explains Australian banks’ increased funding costs; says the cash rate has been effective in adjusting lending rates
RBA paper addresses systemic risk in payments system
Research paper from Reserve Bank of Australia analyses systemic risk in RTGS payment system; evaluates Australia’s liquidity-saving algorithms
RBA holds rate as global growth softens
Stable inflation, close to target domestic growth and 'subdued' international economic picture lead Reserve Bank of Australia board to leave benchmark rate at 3.5%
RBA issues new market infrastructure proposals
Australian central bank unveils latest proposals to meet CPSS-Iosco principles for financial market infrastructures; says additional detail provides for ‘greater legal certainty’
RBA paper explains shift in ATM usage
Research paper from Reserve Bank of Australia analyses impact of 2009 ATM reforms; finds increased transparency has driven consumers away from ‘foreign’ machines
RBA makes progress with card surcharging guidelines
Industry calls on Reserve Bank of Australia to provide “more prescriptive” guidance than draft rules issued in June; final version set to be published in October
RBA refutes fresh allegations of bribery cover-up
Reserve Bank of Australia denies claims that a document was hidden from investigators; says governor Glenn Stevens did not mislead a parliamentary committee
RBA minutes show bond yields at “historic low”
Reserve Bank of Australia’s August monetary policy minutes note historically low bond yields; offshore purchases of Australian dollar remain high
Australian payments systems board debates multi-network cards
Introduction of contactless payments reignites discussion surrounding cards issued by banks with debit functionality from more than one payments network; consultation launched
RBA payments manager discusses challenge of Basel III deadline
Reserve Bank of Australia’s Mark Chambers says countries are struggling to implement Basel III framework in time; highlights obstacles facing Australian policy-makers in introducing regulations
RBA reveals brighter growth outlook
Reserve Bank of Australia improves 2012 growth estimate; strong figures offset by uncertainty regarding external developments and possible upward trend for inflation