Central Banking Journal
Is the pursuit of a common accounting standard for monetary gold a fool’s errand?
More consistent accounting for monetary gold could address transparency concerns and help smaller emerging economies to achieve greater independence by clarifying treasury transfers
Book notes: Unfinished business, by Tamim Bayoumi
Anand Sinha praises Bayoumi’s analysis of how the euro crisis and US housing crash were, in fact, intertwined
Book notes: China’s Great Wall of Debt, by Dinny McMahon
McMahon is too pessimistic about the chances of China managing to get its great wall of debt under control, writes Michael Taylor, but he is undoubtedly right about the scale of the challenge
Bank of Jamaica’s Wynter on the path to inflation targeting
Bank of Jamaica’s governor talks about revamping accountability, communications and operations as the central bank embraces inflation targeting
Alternatives to Japan’s 2% flexible inflation target
The Bank of Japan may review its policy framework, given its five-year failure to hit a 2% flexible inflation target
Book notes: Edge of chaos, by Dambisa Moyo
John Chown applauds Moyo’s analysis of how the current democratic framework is failing
Time for Central Bank of Argentina independence
Monetary financing has fallen sharply under Mauricio Macri’s administration, but must now end; independence law would help efforts to shatter Argentina’s inflationary shackles
Federico Sturzenegger on Argentina’s efforts to create a credible central bank
The Central Bank of Argentina governor, in his last interview before leaving office, speaks about panic in emerging markets, the IMF bailout, and bringing to an end high inflation and monetary financing
Have central banks created a ‘debt trap’? No, but ...
Tougher regulation has helped ensure extraordinary monetary policy has not caused a dangerous rise in private debt
Book notes: Unelected power, by Paul Tucker
Tucker’s well-argued text sets out a set of principles for those in unelected positions of power to ensure they continue to act for the benefit of the general public, but Reddell says it is a shame more attention is not paid to smaller central banks
Regulatory efficiency or rollback?
Team USA’s new clarion call for regulatory “efficiency” comes with a worrying undertow, particularly related to regulatory rollback and ‘light-touch’ supervision of algorithms
The toxicology of post-crisis shadow banking
Mark Carney tempted fate in 2017 when he declared the most toxic forms of shadow banking “no longer represent a global stability risk”. Did he speak too soon?
Book notes: I do what I do, by Raghuram Rajan
This collection of speeches and commentary sheds light on how the ‘rockstar’ central banker operated, but it reveals little in the more controversial areas of Rajan’s governorship
The Bank of Italy’s approach to risk-based budgeting
The financial crisis blurred the lines between Anglo-Saxon and continental European central bank models, presenting challenges when treating both the sources of risk and risk-bearing capacity using financial and accounting budgeting techniques
Kganyago on central bank independence and future plans for the IMFC
The South African Reserve Bank governor spoke with Christopher Jeffery at the Central Banking Awards about the South Africa’s new president, the importance of operational independence and key targets for the IMFC
Central banks: the economy’s emergency responders
When economic infrastructure is destroyed during natural disasters, central banks spring into action, engaging contingency plans to ensure the economy continues to run
Book notes: The paradox of vulnerability, by John Campbell and John Hall
Quality of national institutions vital to handling financial crises, say authors
Former governor: Life lessons from Taiwan
Perng Fai-nan, former governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan), shares key insights upon accepting Central Banking’s Lifetime achievement award
Book notes: A diary of the euro crisis in Cyprus
Panicos Demetriades’ book tells the inside story of the Cypriot crisis and how battles over central bank independence led ultimately to his resignation
Book notes: Respectable banking, by Anthony Hotson
The author’s sensible goal of “respectable banking” is admirable, but the recommendations would not all help to achieve this
Canada’s polymer versus paper substrate cycle
Empirical evidence indicates the switch to a polymer substrate has improved the lifespan of Canadian banknotes, write Ramesh Paskarathas, Lynne Graaskamp, Erik Balodis and Theodoros Garanzotis
Book notes: How global currencies work, by Barry Eichengreen, Arnaud Mehl and Livia Chiţu
A comprehensive introduction to the history of global reserve currencies, with analysis of how advances in technology and the structure of trade have reshaped the landscape
The winners of the 2018 Central Banking Awards
Bank of Canada wins Central Bank of the Year, Lesetja Kganyago picks up Governor of the Year and Perng Fai-nan receives Lifetime Achievement Award; 16 more awards unveiled
Reserve manager of the year: Bank of Korea
The South Korean central bank has revamped its reserve operations, and adopted a proactive approach to managing risks and returns that is matched by few of its peers