Russia
Central bank insider selected to run Russia's new ‘mega-regulator'
As head of the FMS, Sergey Shvetsov, a Bank of Russia deputy, will be in charge of ‘controlling, regulating and supervising' the country's financial markets from September 1
Bank of Russia overhauls organisation as it prepares for expanded remit
Responsibility for financial regulation will shift from a government body to the central bank in September; the bank has also created new departments of monetary policy and statistics
Russian central bank introduces new instrument for cheaper funding
New Bank of Russia governor brings in policy to auction 12-month loans to banks with a starting price 150bp under the standard 12-month repo rate
Bank Russia to become ‘mega-regulator' with mandate for growth
New law set to be enacted in September will hand the central bank responsibility for almost all of Russia's financial system, and give monetary policy a broader mandate to support ‘sustainable growth'
People: Bank of Russia deputy joins government; Bank of Lithuania appoints deputy chair
Bank of Russia's first deputy chairman appointed as economic development minister; former Lithuanian finance minister moves to central bank as Darius Petrauskas departs; Kevin Feldman joins WGC
Bank of Russia easing could 'jeopardise' inflation anchor
IMF releases Article IV consultation with Russia; encourages central bank to focus on inflation objectives and warns rate cuts would jeopardise ability to hit target range this year and next
ECB threatens to cut off liquidity support to Cyprus
Governing council says no more emergency liquidity will be provided to Cypriot banks if a deal is not reached by Monday; negotiations continue and banks will remain closed into next week
Putin picks economic adviser as Bank of Russia chief
Elvira Nabiullina nominated to succeed Sergey Ignatiev as chairman of the Bank of Russia; faces challenge of maintaining monetary policy credibility despite close ties to the Kremlin
Bank of Finland researchers examine role of liquidity creation in bank failures
Experience of Russia from 2000–07 suggests early identification of excessive liquidity creators can 'mitigate systemic distress'
Russia holds interest rate as indicators stabilise
Russian central bank board of directors say inflation has fallen to 6.4% and economic activity has slowed
Bank of Russia reveals 2011 annual report
Russian economy grew while central bank battled inflation; exchange rate policy adjusted in transition to fully floating regime
New Zealand’s Bollard reveals next move
Outgoing governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand announces his next job; leaves central bank after 10 years as chief
IMF urges Russian central bank to tighten policy
Article IV consultation recommends ‘gradual further tightening’ of monetary policy; preparation needed for informal inflation targeting in 2014
Bank of Finland paper evaluates confidence indicators in forecasts
Discussion paper analyses the link between measures of confidence and growth forecasting in the Russian economy; finds not all measures improve accuracy of forecasts
Gold demand drops from high 2011 figures
Gold Demand Trends report from World Gold Council notes 5% lower demand in Q1 this year compared with 2011
Bank of Russia reports solid financial stability in 2011
Financial Stability Review paints good picture of Russian economy in 2011; details steps taken to ensure continued stability
'Heavy' gold purchases expected to continue in 2012
GFMS report says emerging economies will continue to turn to gold as they diversify reserves away from US dollar; "trivial" official sector gold sales recorded in 2011
IMF paper discusses strengthening Russia's fiscal framework
Working paper from IMF researchers sets out ways Russian fiscal policy is straying from best practice and suggests improvements
Central banks bought close to 440 tonnes of gold in 2011
World Gold Council unveils report showing large central bank gold purchases in 2011; emerging economies lead the way in rebalancing their reserves to include more of the precious metal
EU vows fresh sanctions against Syrian central bank
European Union due to impose freeze on Central Bank of Syria's assets as part of efforts to strengthen sanctions against the Syrian government
FSB regional group discusses policy responses to eurozone crisis
Commonwealth of Independent States hold first regional FSB consultative group meeting; members including Russia and Ukraine discuss possible policy actions to counter eurozone crisis
Central bankers gather in Davos for World Economic Forum
Central banking is a hot topic at this year's World Economic Forum; attendees of the event discuss issues in Russia, Poland, China and more
Russia gears up for central securities depository
Russian central securities depository (CSD) could be ready by the end of 2012, although there is more work to be done