Latin America
Argentina’s Milei struggles to find central bank governor
Two candidates refuse position amid uncertainty over dollarisation plans
Asian bond spreads with US not widening, BIS research finds
Central banks’ actions have decoupled EME bonds from stronger dollar, researchers say
Costa Rica and Paraguay whittle away at rates
Both countries make 25bp cuts as inflation falls
Book notes: Economists in the cold war, by Alan Bollard
A geographically balanced review of key economists that shaped the world economy
Colombian and Caribbean central banks hold rates
Banrep board ignores government’s call for cut, while Jamaica and Dominican Republic also hold
A league table for central bank hawkishness
Steve Kamin runs the numbers to assess which central banks have raised rates most aggressively
Latin America roundup: Brazil makes second 50bp rate cut
Paraguay eases rates down, while Costa Rica holds as negative inflation continues
Chile continues rate cuts
Central bank lowers policy rate as economy shows signs of slowing
US legislators draft bill to limit Chinese influence at IDB
Proposal demands public reports of Chinese influence and contracts at the development bank
Nicaragua considers joining Mir network
Finance minister says Russian cards will overcome “aggression” of sanctions
Banknote round-up: Belize may replace UK monarch’s image
Argentina releases new 1000 peso note while Chile reports shortage of smallest denomination
Bye-bye BCRA?
An Argentine presidential candidate proposes abolishing the central bank and the peso
Rates round-up: Colombian central bank holds at 13.25%
Dominican Republic cuts rates, while other central banks in the region stay on hold
Ecuador approves contingent credit line
Flar offers up to $230 million to Central Bank of Ecuador
Latin America: Brazil holds rates despite president’s attack
Chilean board also holds policy, while Costa Rica cuts after inflation goes below target
Governors weigh trade-offs between inflation and financial stability
Officials stress central bank independence is key to addressing these risks
Book notes: States and the masters of capital, by Quentin Bruneau
Chronicling the practices and players involved in privately financed sovereign debt
Rates round-up: Mexico and Colombia slow tightening
Guatemala also tightens with 25bp hike; Chile and Dominican Republic continue pauses
Brazil’s central bank authorises business payments on WhatsApp
Peers can also send money in India, while B2B only is enabled in Singapore
IMF allows five regional banks to hold SDRs
Development banks in Europe and the Americas are now “prescribed holders”
Rates round-up: Philippines raises policy rate 50bp
Zambia increases amid poor inflation outlooks; Uruguay joins Latin American rate pause trend
Colombia’s Villar says tight policy necessary for future growth
Governor says inflation more stubborn than in neighbours, but will fall soon
Argentina and Brazil’s currency proposal met with scepticism
Experts say it is unclear whether governments want currency union or trade settlement mechanism
Argentina and Brazil to begin studying common currency
Minister says countries are taking “first step” in project