Europe
European companies’ credit demand shrinks despite ECB stimulus
In Q4 2019, credit demand from non-financial corporations declined for first time in six years
ECB calls for changes to German draft CCP recovery law
Law should be rewritten to provide more transparency on Bafin’s procedures and approach, ECB says
Non-bank growth slowed in 2018, says FSB
Riskiest forms of non-banks still growing, but overall assets went into reverse in 2018
ECB willing to provide further stimulus – minutes
Governing council stresses inflation remains below its medium-term goal
Belgium to launch new ‘smart’ ATM network
Network will look to solve geographical disparity and maintain cash services
European banks must improve ‘big data’ practice – EBA report
Current regulatory framework is adequate but banks must work hard to improve trust, EBA says
BoE will get back €58 million from ECB after Brexit
Decision yet to be made on who will make up the capital shortfall; UK will also see its membership of EIB rescinded
Interview: Björn Segendorf
Riksbank senior adviser thinks it highly unlikely cash will disappear completely in Sweden, but says if it does, the central bank will continue to keep stocks of cash
Phillips curve still explains eurozone inflation movements – research
Results may become a focal point of debate in the forthcoming ECB strategy review
EU central bankers urge UK to stay close on regulation
Klaas Knot and Luis de Guindos warn UK could lose out if it diverges from EU regulations, but Mark Carney says UK needs autonomy
Lagarde awards Schnabel key policy role in renewed ECB board
Panetta leads market infrastructure and payments, banknotes and international relations
Pension funds suffer in latest round of Eiopa stress-testing
Only 30% of funds have policies in place to mitigate ESG risk; low interest rates continue to pose a problem for funds across Europe
Risk weight tweak could fix IFRS 9 capital clash – research
Practitioner suggests way to cancel out double-counting of Basel credit loss provisions
Eurochain: CBDC project seeks secure anonymity
Proof of concept blends anonymity with AML/CFT regulation
2019: The year in review
The past year was marked by a persistent weakening of the global economy, and some radical financial innovations
People: Ingves elected ESRB vice-chair
Appointments at ESRB and ECB; official resigns from the Central Bank of Colombia
Schnabel and Panetta appointed ECB executive board members
The final distribution of responsibilities in January will determine the new members’ portfolios
Manufacturing leverage weakens ECB monetary policy – BoI paper
Eurozone industrial firms’ response to policy shocks decreases as leverage rises, researchers find
ECB warns Lithuanian government over bank tax plans
Plan to tax banks’ assets could harm financial stability, particularly for weaker lenders, ECB says
Benoît Cœuré attacks lack of political will by eurozone leaders
European single market needs serious reform, says retiring ECB official
EU to set up cross-border AML bodies for some banks
Banks working in more than three EU countries must have own anti-money laundering “colleges”
People: Logan to head NY Fed market ops; Norges Bank deputy departs
Lorie Logan and others get senior roles at the New York Fed; deputy steps down early from Norges Bank; payments firm Sia names new chairman
ECB calls on Greece to redraft securitisation plans
Government should consider setting up new regulator for NPL-backed assets, says European Central Bank
Brexit uncertainties reduced Belgian exports to UK - NBB paper
Paper looks at impact on exports and imports of uncertainty caused by Brexit referendum