Europe
Bernanke blames Europe and fiscal cliff for stalling recovery
Chairman of the Federal Reserve says two main risks to economic improvement in the US are eurozone woes and looming fiscal cliff; urges lawmakers to act promptly
Central Bank of Ireland paper weighs crisis impact on SME financing
Research technical paper assesses effect of economic, financial and debt crises in Europe on small and medium-sized enterprises’ access to credit; discusses impact of private debt overhang
Eurosytem and Mediterranean central bankers gather in Morocco
Central bankers meet to discuss economic and financial developments, monetary policy implementation and macro-prudential policies and financial stability
ECB paper studies sovereign debt and growth links
Working paper studies relationship between different levels of sovereign debt and growth; finds increasing debt only boosts short-run growth up to a certain threshold
Spain’s Frob shakes up management ahead of bailouts
Fund for Orderly Bank Restructuring (Frob) selects new general manager from Spanish government among other senior appointments; first €30 billion of bailout funds to be handled by the Frob
Eurogroup decides on three senior appointments
Decisions end speculation over leadership of the Eurogroup and the European Stability Mechanism; nomination also put forward for empty seat on ECB executive board
National Bank of Hungary paper surveys wage rigidities
Paper presents findings of large European survey conducted by central banks; finds wages are more rigid than prices, but various factors determine the frequency of adjustment
Markets recoil as major central banks ease policies
Chinese, European and UK central banks take monetary policy action; moves leave no doubt about gloomy global economic picture as eurozone stock markets fail to rally
Japan paying ‘particular attention’ to Europe but holds rates
Bank of Japan watching situation in Europe closely; keeps monetary policy steady ahead of key developments in the region
IMF’s Nehmat urges eurozone fiscal adjustment plan rethink
Deputy managing director of the IMF says some eurozone countries’ fiscal targets for 2013 may need to be altered given growth slowdown; also supports deeper European integration
HFT adds value to the forex market, says Bank of England
While the effects of high-frequency trading activity should continue to be monitored, the practice adds value to the FX market, a senior Bank of England official has argued
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
System risk lessons from FX loans in Central and Eastern Europe
The build-up of forex loans in the CEE presented a systemic challenge to the region's financial stability. Piotr J Szpunar argues this points to a need for macro-prudential rules in Europe
European finance ministers agree on Basel III rules
Capital requirement regulations relaxed to allow unanimous support of regulations to implement Basel III; European Parliament negotiations next
Bank of Mauritius governor urges diversification
Rundheersing Bheenick says previous calls to find alternative markets fell on deaf ears; economy is operating below potential
Asia regional FSB discusses deleveraging in Europe
Financial Stability Board Regional Consultative Group for Asia focuses on problems arising due to deleveraging of European financial institutions; also share thoughts on recent FSB initiatives
Differing growth predictions demonstrate uneven global recovery
European Commission estimates 0.3% contraction for eurozone GDP; Lithuania and Thailand meanwhile revise growth estimates upwards
New deputy governor notes increasing Swedish economic dependency
Kerstin af Jochnick describes points of importance relating to monetary policy and financial stability; highlights growing dependency of Sweden on events abroad
Lagarde calls for ‘gradual’ austerity moves
Lagarde calls for gradual and country-specific approach to austerity; says supply-side measures needed to achieve sustainable growth
Dombret calls for faster EU action on regulation of Sifis
Deutsche Bundesbank's Andreas Dombret calls for EU to act faster on regulation of Sifis; says individual countries implementing their own frameworks creates ‘problems for the future'
ECB survey finds worsening borrowing conditions for SMEs
European Central Bank survey finds borrowing conditions for SMEs have ‘worsened considerably’ in past six months
FSA’s Turner outlines reforms needed in eurozone
Adair Turner sets out reforms necessary for eurozone stability; calls for creation of euro bonds and greater fiscal integration
Dombret says role of central banks 'changed fundamentally' by crisis
Deutsche Bundesbank board member discusses changing role of central banks as a result of the financial crisis; says the situation could lead to a new financial instability
ECB calls for comments on payments system security recommendations
Public consultation opens on payments system recommendations from European Forum on the Security of Retail Payments; changes relate to areas of concern regarding internet payments