Ireland
Irish SME report shows growth in new lending
Report published by Central Bank of Ireland shows annualised gross new lending at highest level since 2011, with the largest share channelled to the agricultural sector
Irish banks have returned to profitability but still need repairs, report finds
Central Bank of Ireland’s macro-financial review notes improvements in the banking sector, but high levels of non-performing loans are holding them back
Ireland to phase out one- and two-cent coins
Central bank will lead project that will see cash payments rounded to discourage use of low-value coins; decision follows successful trial in 2013
Irish deputy sees value in ‘well-developed’ rental market
Stefan Gerlach says it is important renting is an attractive long-term proposition, as deeper rental markets help make the economy more resilient to shocks
IMF urges Irish authorities to ‘enhance’ central bank independence
Report warns legal framework could ‘potentially introduce political considerations’ into governance arrangements; finds uncompetitive pay may be hurting ability to hire and retain supervisors
Early contenders emerge as Irish governor announces departure
Central Bank of Ireland governor announces intention to retire later this year, with a handful of names already surfacing as possible successors
Irish deputy encouraged by NPL progress
Cyril Roux says banks have improved their distressed debt operations but warns it will take several years to work though the stock of commercial NPLs still outstanding
Irish central bank targets consumer-first culture
New report from the central bank reveals focus on culture within the financial industry; head of consumer protection tells Central Banking about the institution’s plans
Irish central bank steps up macro-pru communication
Central Bank of Ireland finalises restrictions on mortgage lending; measures feature some relief for first-time buyers following consultation process
Honohan: EU-IMF programme a qualified success
Following conclusion of programme Central Bank of Ireland governor says it did 'what it said on the tin' by restoring market confidence and stabilising the economy
Irish research finds macro-pru tools have ‘greater impact’ on first-time buyers
Economic letter published by Central Bank of Ireland explores impact of loan-to-value and loan-to-income ratios on different groups within residential property market
Central Bank of Ireland urges households to spend 2.5bn copper coins on Christmas shopping
Bank warns local shops are running out of coins as people consign them to ‘jars and piggy banks'; says small change ‘better being spent or given to charity'
Irish government looks to lift restrictions on central bank disclosure
New bill will, if passed, allow staff at the Central Bank of Ireland to reveal certain confidential information to parliamentary committees
Central Bank of Ireland plans staff increase
Governor Patrick Honohan says creation of SSM and new international regulations create ‘more work’ for the central bank; staff will increase by roughly 100 in 2015
ECB publishes letters between Trichet and Irish government
Letters relate to the period leading up to Ireland’s decision to enter an EU/IMF programme; ECB threatened to withhold access to ELA unless Ireland sought a bailout
Central Bank of Ireland proposes lending restrictions
Irish central bank proposes three ‘speed limits’ on banks’ mortgage lending, as it looks to create a ‘stable and well-functioning’ market
Irish economists estimate property debt overhang on SMEs
Central Bank of Ireland researchers find a minimum of 20% of SMEs have direct exposures to property debt, which makes them more likely to default
Ireland names new chief economist
Gabriel Fagan leaves ECB to join Central Bank of Ireland; succeeds Lars Frisell, who now lectures in the IMF Africa Training Institute in Mauritius
Parliamentary committee questions Central Bank of Ireland transparency
Committee will examine whether confidentiality provisions in central bank legislation mean information on financial misconduct is withheld from the public
Irish central bank will ‘change structurally’ before SSM
Cyril Roux says the Central Bank of Ireland will make organisational changes in the coming months as it looks to accommodate the Single Supervisory Mechanism
Irish inflation is domestically determined, central bank economists find
Paper by Central Bank of Ireland deputy governor Gerlach and colleagues challenges traditional view that Irish inflation dynamics are determined abroad
IMF says Irish government should bolster central bank independence
International Monetary Fund report encourages the government to cede power over the central bank; authorities ‘disappointed’ by findings
Irish deputy calls for legislative review as SSM nears
Central Bank of Ireland deputy governor Cyril Roux wants to review the country’s legislation to ensure there are no conflicts with the new SSM regulation
Ireland’s Murphy marshals industry in support of harmonised regulation
Director of markets supervision laments ‘insufficient trans-Atlantic dialogue’ and tells asset managers who want better global harmonisation of financial regulation to make their voices heard