New Zealand
RBNZ eases housing market restrictions
New government’s policies should “dampen” housing market pressures, acting governor says
Banks hit back at RBNZ macro-prudential proposal
RBNZ’s proposed debt-to-income limits criticised by commercial banks, which question methodology and claim measure would increase financial instability
RBNZ seeks liquidity and stability with new mortgage bond standard
New Zealand central bank hopes standard will support market liquidity and improve its own risk position
RBNZ cracks down on Westpac over modelling breach
Central bank imposes capital penalty after uncovering failings related to use of internal models
Doubts emerge over RBNZ mandate plans
Acting governor Spencer says a dual mandate would have little impact, but expresses concern over a committee structure; former RBNZ economists weigh in
Tinkering with rates will not bolster New Zealand employment
The New Zealand government would do well to remember why a single price stability mandate was established in the first place
RBNZ faces mandate review under new government
Coalition agreement retains Labour pledge to consider shake-up of Reserve Bank mandate
RBNZ proposes tougher rules for bank outsourcing
Banks must show they can open at 9am the day after entering resolution; foreign-owned banks need to supply separation plans
Graeme Wheeler: LVR restrictions seem to be working
RBNZ governor looks back over five turbulent years; says housing market restrictions have reduced systemic risk and the market seems to be cooling
People: RBNZ continues reshuffle; Fed appoints payments leader
Mills to fill Bascand’s shoes at RBNZ as assistant governor moves to financial stability; St Louis Fed vice-president to initiate faster payments project for the US central bank; and more
RBNZ to stick with ‘simple-yet-conservative’ regulation, says Spencer
Financial stability head acknowledges there could be risks to deviating too far from global norms, but says New Zealand prefers to keep regulations strict and simple
Philip Turner urges RBNZ to focus analysis on ‘new normal’
Former BIS official gives positive review of RBNZ’s monetary policymaking process, but recommends the central bank focus its efforts on understanding changing economic structure
Neutral rate down to around 3.5% in New Zealand – RBNZ deputy
Rate is challenging to estimate but central bank’s models and surveys suggest it has fallen in recent years to around 3.5%
RBNZ pushes back on IMF financial assessment
Central bank says it stands by its “three-pillar” approach to market discipline, but will look at ways of enhancing co-operation and other aspects of the framework
RBNZ sees no need to impose prescriptive cyber-security rules now
Head of prudential supervision at central bank says it is looking to market discipline to ensure high standards
RBNZ’s Bascand says banks now less reliant on offshore funding
New Zealand banks are attempting to reduce risk and respond to regulatory changes by tightening lending standards and “aggressively” competing for deposits, says RBNZ deputy
RBNZ considers cutting contingent instruments from capital regime
Central bank casts sceptical eye over debt instruments with in-built conversion triggers, following recent problems in Europe
RBNZ’s Hannah: central bank is working to close trust gap
Survey in 2014 showed how poor public understanding of the central bank’s work went hand in hand with low trust
OECD urges RBNZ to adopt debt-to-income restrictions
The OECD said adding a debt-to-income limit to the RBNZ’s macro-prudential instruments could increase the resilience of bank balance sheets
Wheeler hits out at commercial bank for unforgiving commentary
RBNZ governor says commentary threatens its integrity, damaging the central bank and financial markets; former RBNZ official says Wheeler overreacting
RBNZ consults on DTI limits with full macro-pru review scheduled for 2018
Central bank evaluates benefits of limit and how it would interact with current macro-pru policies; consultation offers reassurance to households about welfare costs
Growth in offshore funding is creating risks – RBNZ
Financial stability report notes growing reliance of banks on offshore funding sources could become a problem; housing market risks require new prudential tools
Forecasting would improve with more regular data, says RBNZ’s McDermott
New Zealand is one of two advanced economies that uses quarterly data instead of monthly; current schedule has limited forecast improvements, RBNZ assistant governor says
IMF urges new macro-pru tools for RBNZ to tackle housing market
Debt-to-income tools would complement existing macro-prudential toolkit and help rein in household credit, fund says; RBNZ in pursuit of such powers but decision must come from government