Israel
Bank of Israel files first civil lawsuit against counterfeiters
Counterfeiters already convicted of forging “tens of thousands” of the new 200-shekel note; central bank seeking €100,000 in compensation
Israel’s Flug calls for higher-quality labour market
Bank of Israel governor says country is close to full employment but must do more to improve labour market conditions
Bank of Israel profits from rising equities – market operations director
Andrew Abir says Israeli central bank has benefited from rising US equities
Asset manager of the year: BlackRock
BlackRock delivered some innovative new products and a highly regarded training scheme to build on its already strong foundation in reserve management services
Financial initiatives may bypass people with lower financial literacy, paper says
Reforms in Israel designed to benefit the whole population did not reach some groups
People: Cleviston Haynes handed full governorship
Central Bank of Barbados acting governor gets full term; delayed appointments made to Israel’s Supervisory Council; ESM confirms Mário Centeno as chair
Bank of Israel invites real-time payments proposals
Central bank envisages “at least” one real-time payments infrastructure, to be developed and operated by a third party
Bank of Israel grapples with low inflation
Latest figure is a welcome exit from deflation but the central bank does not expect prices to be back on target until 2018
People: Israel picks MPC members after lengthy process; Brazil promotes deputies
Bank of Israel MPC members appointed after process spanning several years; Brazil promotes internal candidates; RBA has new international director; and more
People: New chairman in Macau; Bosnia appoints vice-governor
Chan Sau San to lead Macau’s monetary authority; Bosnia appoints vice-governor; Nathan Sussman leaves the Bank of Israel after six years as head of research
People: Ma Jun departs PBoC; Brazil promotes directors
Chief economist of the PBoC departs central bank for academia; Central Bank of Brazil gets new directors; Andrew Abir to sit on the Bank of Israel’s monetary committee
Bank of Israel: competition reforms could add to rapid credit growth
Credit to households continues “significant” expansion and may be boosted by banking competition reforms, central bank warns
Bank of Israel warns banks are exposed to vehicle finance
Central bank warns exposures are “not negligible” and continue to grow, although they do not yet present a systemic risk
People: Trump names Otting for OCC job; Sri Lankan assistant governor promoted
People: Trump names Otting for OCC job subject to Senate approval; Sri Lankan assistant governor promoted to deputy role; Barbados appoints acting deputy; and more
Israeli survey highlights benefits from ‘digital revolution’
“Tremendous changes” in the banking system are likely to benefit households and small businesses, the central bank says, while stability is also improving
Israel’s Flug: action needed on productivity
Bank of Israel governor warns Israel remains a laggard when it comes to growing output per person
People: RBNZ’s Bascand takes new role; Lithuanian deputy reappointed
Geoff Bascand becomes head of financial stability; Raimondas Kuodis gets a second term; Bank of Israel promotes two officials
Bank of Israel revamps policy communications
New approach to communicating monetary policy decisions as committee moves to an eight-meeting cycle
PMA stresses accord with Israel as banks threaten to pull out
Governor Azzam Shawwa says Palestinian banks conform to global standards, as the Israeli government steps in to offer assurances to its banks providing correspondent services
Bank of Israel cuts 2017 budget as building and banknote projects wind down
Central bank continues process of budgetary restraint as it unveils work plan for 2017; spending on renovation and new technology and emergency centre falls
Palestine Monetary Authority forecasts slowdown amid ‘political impasse’
Authority sees likelihood of “slackening trend” of growth in coming years as Gaza Strip “siege” continues and restrictions affect the West Bank
Israel’s red tape is bad for business – Flug
The Bank of Israel governor says cutting back on bureaucratic regulations could help the economy grow faster with little budgetary impact
Bank of Israel moves to eight-meeting policy cycle
Cut in number of meetings reflects stability of economic indicators and will allow for more detailed analysis at each meeting, central bank says, though one member criticises loss of flexibility
Flug urges Israeli parliament to make haste in setting up financial stability committee
Bank of Israel governor says changes to banking competition increase the need for the new supervisory body, warning risks may be on the rise