Belgium
Impact of ECB unconventional policies depends on bank capitalisation, finds Belgian paper
ECB crisis measures have greater impact on GDP growth in countries where banks are well capitalised, researchers find
Belgian review: Common debt will remain ‘taboo’ in Europe
Article published in National Bank of Belgium economic review describes the issuance of common debt as a ‘panacea’ for multiple problems in the eurozone
National Bank of Belgium to close half its remaining branches
Belgian central bank reveals plans to close its branches in Mons and Hasselt in 2016, which are predominantly involved in processing cash
Review finds Belgian CPI still ‘diverges’ from HICP
National Bank of Belgium’s latest economic review analyses the recent changes in the methodology underpinning CPI, and demonstrates why it remains different from HICP
Belgian governor’s term extended, successor named
Luc Coene will serve another year as governor despite reaching retirement age this week; Council of Ministers says he will be succeeded by director Jan Smets in March 2015
National Bank of Belgium sells iconic Antwerp building
Belgium’s central bank has closed its Antwerp branch as part of its ongoing consolidation process, and will now sell the distinctive triangular building
National Bank of Belgium weighs reduction in one and two cent coins
Belgian central bank considers merits of allowing traders to round cash and electronic payments to the nearest five cents in a bid to render one and two cent coins ‘unnecessary’
Belgian paper posits method for robust optimal monetary policy
Working paper suggests way of supplementing optimal monetary policy with elements of a rules-based policy, punishing policy-makers for deviation but not preventing them from exercising discretion
Belgian bank survey reports gloomier outlook
National Bank of Belgium survey finds improved financial market conditions are not feeding into the real economy, as respondents again revise down 2013 growth forecasts
Belgian research examines factors behind exchange rate pass-through
National Bank of Belgium working paper studies why some exporters pass on fluctuations in exchange rates through price adjustments while others do not
IMF paper studies decline in vertical fiscal imbalances
IMF working paper highlights reasons behind the decline in vertical fiscal imbalances in four European countries; says VFIs always come under scrutiny at times of fiscal austerity
Interview: Gerard Hartsink
European Payments Council chairman Gerard Hartsink tells Yusuf Yassin he welcomes the decision to set end-dates for Sepa migration, but says concerns about the regulation, raised in October, remain
Belgium central bank paper reviews effects of trade liberalisation in low-wage countries
National Bank of Belgium study shows low-wage countries experience less movement in labour and output to high-skill-intensity industries as a result of trade liberalisation policies
Belgium’s Coene believes in commitment of eurozone countries
Governor of National Bank of Belgium says even if Greece were to leave single currency, other member states would draw together to "protect the system"
Financial crisis leaves questions over future of banking: Luc Coene
Belgian governor says with huge reforms beginning to take effect, it is impossible to accurately predict the future state of the banking sector in Belgium
Dexia bailout spells trouble for Belgium and France, say analysts
Nationalisation of banking group Dexia threatens downgrades to sovereign credit rating of Belgian and French governments
Central banks are vulnerable to financial risks: Norges Bank paper
Norges Bank study says the current international financial architecture leaves central banks exposed to financial risks
ECB opens Brussels office
European Central Bank opens small Brussels office; staffed by only two people
National Bank of Belgium – Consumer Survey (April 2011)
National Bank of Belgium April 2011 Consumer Survey shows pick-up in consumer confidence in April
Belgium unveils financial health indicator
National Bank of Belgium designs financial health indicator to monitor risk of company failures; says probability of bankruptcy higher than 25% for least financially sound
Belgium modernises central bank statute
National Bank of Belgium calls extraordinary general meeting to discuss changes to statute governing central bank; attempts to avoid repeat of historic legal battle debacle over ancient wording
Belgium’s Quaden quits
National Bank of Belgium governor Guy Quaden to leave in March; continued lack of unity in government raises concerns over central bank’s leadership
Belgium’s Praet to be nominated to ECB executive board
Eurozone finance ministers recommend National Bank of Belgium executive director Peter Praet to European Central Bank executive board
New highs for CDS spreads on Ireland and Belgium
The cost of insuring against Irish and Belgian state defaults reaches unprecedented levels