The Americas
Neutral interest rates at pre-pandemic levels, Bank of Canada finds
Nominal neutral interest rates in both countries sit between 2.25% and 3.25%
Email and social media still top two-way comms channels
Only teams from Asia-Pacific central banks report use of live website chat
Comms staff rarely hold PhD qualifications
Social media and writing skills remain leading areas for capacity building
Female staff make up over 60% of average comms team
Employees most likely to fall in age category of 40–49
Media relations, social media and website are top comms tasks
International communications, museum visits and speechwriting rank least
US needs to change bank takeover rules, FDIC official says
Rohit Chopra criticises SF Fed over bank linked to Sam Bankman-Fried firms
Press releases, conferences and website are top external channels
Email remains main tool for internal communications among central banks
One in five communications teams use AI for their work
Data suggests uses of AI are still at an initial stage among communications departments
Comms teams average less than 2% of central bank workforce
Majority of units operate centralised communications models
High interest puts pressure on US cattle farms – research
Wildfires and rising input prices are exacerbating factors, Kansas City Fed research says
Central banks reveal top staffing constraints
Career progression limits, skills gaps and red tape identified as challenges
Most high income central banks lack formal recapitalisation agreements
Seven respondents report launching recapitalisation in past year
Bank of Canada holds rates for sixth consecutive time
Central bank optimistic that rate cuts are ahead and inflation will gradually fall
Central banks’ profit distribution widely agreed with governments
Few institutions have arrangements with other parties or private shareholders
Two-thirds of central banks report profit in last fiscal year
Few institutions seek recapitalisation and technological advancement for operational goals
Board non-execs more likely to be appointed by governments
Middle income central banks tend to have more government officials on board
Fed officials say strong economy gives them flexibility and time
Kugler, Barkin and Powell say upside and downside risks are evening out over time
Central bank independence usually safeguarded by law
But one in 10 respondents see their autonomy threatened
Slight majority of US consumers ‘warm’ to CBDC, survey says
Respondents most interested in free use and widespread market adoption, Philadelphia Fed finds
Most central banks have policy independence
But some respondents provide details of pressure they have faced to change policy
AI threatens labour’s share of income, research finds
AI could increase inequality and social unrest, Philadelphia Fed paper argues
Monetary policy may have counterintuitive housing price effects – research
Researchers from the Dallas Fed say indirect effects may undercut policy’s aims
Middle income central banks lag on diversity and green policies
But code of ethics and whistleblower schemes remain common standards
Governors’ salaries tend to rise with country income
Low income developing countries less likely to disclose data