United States
Fannie and Freddie served as 'disciplining device' in sub-prime market
US mortgages eligible to be bought by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before the financial crisis had 'similar ex ante risk characteristics' to other mortgages, but performed better during crisis
Richmond Fed study shows 'dramatic crossover' in payment methods of US citizens
Study evaluates Fed data tracking 2,500 participants making close to 13,000 payments during three days in October 2012, shows many seniors sticking to mail as main payment method
Fed finds 75% of US citizens reluctant to pay by phone
While mobile banking continues to grow, many consumers are growing more sceptical of services and the security of the technology, according to a Fed survey
Stress test revisions ‘an embarrassment’ for the Fed
Federal Reserve revises stress test results due to ‘inconsistent’ assumptions of banks’ capital plans; ‘undermines confidence’ in the institution, according to former official
Federal Reserve banks earned $81.4 billion in 2013
Total assets as of December 31 were $4tn, an increase of $1.1tn on the previous year; holdings of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities up $550bn and $585bn respectively
Ukraine wins EU rescue package as finance ministry threatens debt restructure
European institutions will come up with €11 billion over the next five years; European Commission proposes international donor co-ordination mechanism
British hacker charged over Fed computer break-in
Man charged after allegedly hacking into Federal Reserve files, downloading sensitive information and posting it to the internet; charges carry prison term of up to 12 years
Yellen hits back at critics over 'discriminatory' treatment of foreign banks
Following EU complaints, Fed chair tells Senate panel that new regulations are essentially the same as those faced by US banks abroad; Bitcoin is outside Fed's remit
Wages more sticky in the US than in Japan, BoJ paper finds
The empirical fit of the New Keynesian Wage Phillips Curve is generally superior for Japan, auhors note; inflation indexation plays a key role in the US, but is less important in Japan, they add
US foreign investment flows 'significantly' impacted by surprising monetary policy
Both gross and net foreign investment income flows in US and Canada impacted, SNB paper finds; suggests foreign balance sheet channels plays 'increasingly important role' for monetary transmission
Capital vulnerability at US banks began four years prior to crisis, NY Fed paper finds
CLASS model projections show capital vulnerability in the US banking sector started as far back as 2004, before it peaked during the financial crisis at the end of 2008
Fed proposals for updated payments system meets with mixed response
Some industry practitioners tell Fed it should move faster on payments reform, though others argue if it isn't broken, don't fix it
Unanimous Fed decision to taper 'sets precedent'
FOMC scales back monthly purchases by another $10 billion, makes no mention of EM turmoil; unanimous decision seen as making dissent less likely in coming meetings
IMF research maps US shadow banks
Research uses IMF-developed global flow of funds (GFF) conceptual framework to analyse the shadow banking system in the US
IMF board laments US-induced impasse on quota reform
Executive board asks the IMF board of governors to adopt resolution calling for ratification of reform package that would double quotas and overhaul fund's governance ‘without further delay'
Household borrowing not caused by income inequality, Richmond Fed paper argues
Finds low-income households in high-inequality regions accumulated less debt relative to income than their counterparts in lower-inequality regions; rebuts 'wish to keep up' as driver of credit demand
Kohn says Fed's independence 'at risk'
Former Federal Reserve vice-chairman Donald Kohn argues the institution's autonomy has been undermined by recent policies; lists four explicit threats in paper published by the Brookings Institution
History likely to vindicate Fed's crisis policies, says Bernanke
The Federal Reserve has developed ‘all the tools needed' to manage monetary policy; costs of extraordinary measures exaggerated, Bernanke says
US Congress fails to sign off on IMF reforms
Sweeping modernisation package put together by G-20 in 2010 stopped in its tracks as House of Representatives declines to double quota increase and thus ratify changes to fund's governing structure
Stanley Fischer nominated Fed vice-chair
US President also nominates Lael Brainard, a former US Treasury under-secretary, to the Federal Reserve board, while Jerome Powell, on the board since 2012, is nominated for a second term
Disappointing jobs report raises questions over Fed forward guidance
US unemployment falls toward Fed ‘threshold' of 6.5%, but few new jobs are added; confusing result raises questions for how - or whether - the Fed will proceed with its 'taper'
Fed minutes reveal QE wind-down balancing act
Reduction in monthly asset purchases of $10 billion meant to signal slow rather than quick tapering; thresholds becoming less relevant as economy improves
People: Lautenschläger for ECB board; IMF's García set for Chile central bank
EU leaders nominate Bundesbank deputy, in charge of banking supervision, to take German spot on ECB executive; Chile's IMF director to join national central bank; and more
US community banks losing their edge with small businesses, paper finds
Fed discussion paper finds small, opaque businesses are just as likely to use a large banking corporation as they are a community bank; strong banking relationships remain important