Central Banking Journal
Evaluating the IMF’s performance in the financial crisis
The results of the IMF’s Independent Evaluation Office investigation into the Fund’s handling of the global financial crisis are deeply flawed.
Will new reforms lift the veil of secrecy at the Bank of England?
The Bank of England has unveiled a broad package of reforms to its transparency. Daniel Hinge speaks with transparency experts to assess the changes
Three strikes against the Federal Reserve
If you want to know why US economic recovery has been so sluggish, look no further than the policies of the Federal Reserve, argues Allan Meltzer
Are central banks the ‘Figaro’ of the financial markets?
Central banks continue to play a vital position in the functioning of markets. While this raises significant concerns about moral hazard it is not an unfamiliar role from an historical perspective
Book notes: Don’t start from here, by David Shirreff
A pointed, passionate plea for a simpler banking system that deserves to be taken seriously
Book notes: Emerging Africa, by Kingsley Moghalu
Sub-Saharan Africa is no basket case, but neither is it poised to follow China and India on their meteoric economic rise, Kingsley Moghalu argues in his forthright book
Book notes: European Spring, by Philippe Legrain
Ambitious and accessible, this book's take on events is provocative and its alternative insights warrant reflection
Book notes: Sovereign debt management, by Rosa María Lastra and Lee Buchheit
An immensely valuable compilation of contributions by lawyers and several economists on sovereign debt. This book is eminently readable, in spite of its difficult subject matter
Governor of the year: Raghuram Rajan
Sharp analytical skills, decisive policy action, powerful communication and impressive leadership skills have enabled RBI governor Raghuram Rajan to lead the Indian economy onto firmer ground
Central bank of the year: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
A joined-up approach to monetary and macro-prudential policy, excellence in communication and governance, updated risk management, improved supervision and security made the RBNZ the standout central bank
Lifetime achievement award: Jacques de Larosière
Jacques de Larosière has earned a reputation as the great French international public servant, central banker and scholar of his generation
Economics in Central Banking: Claudio Borio
The Bank for International Settlements’ economics head secures win for his work applying the concept of ‘excess financial elasticity’ to the international monetary and financial system
Transparency award: Czech National Bank
After speeding up its communications procedures, expanding into social media and creating an online blog for senior policy-makers, the Czech National Bank has taken transparency to a new level
Reserve manager of the year: South African Reserve Bank
Adapting its management of growing reserves using innovative approaches that do not compromise on long-standing values has enabled sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest reserve manager to enter the top ranks
Website of the year: Bank of Canada
The central bank has not only successfully increased its online presence in 2014, but it has also actively passed on its expertise to the central banking community
Sovereign investor of the year: Norges Bank Investment Management
The manager of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund offers ever greater levels of transparency coupled with enviable returns with its strategy to diversify into real estate is paying dividends
Asset manager of the year: BlackRock
BlackRock’s cohesive framework, combined with unrivalled geographic, asset class and investment-style capabilities, enable it to remain the pre-eminent asset manager for sovereign institutions
Foreign exchange dealer of the year: Standard Chartered Bank
The emerging markets specialist has played a pivotal role in assisting central banks and sovereign funds to diversify their holdings into emerging market currencies
Global custodian of the year: State Street
Servicing a diverse set of clients on multiple continents, State Street’s capabilities were amply demonstrated by its win of the National Pension Service equities custody mandate in South Korea
Payments and market infrastructure provider of the year: Eurex Clearing
The German company is driving efforts to help the derivatives industry meet new regulatory requirements, while also improving cross-margining services and bolstering its risk management capabilities
Technology provider of the year: Polaris
The Indian technology company’s flexible platform can be tailored to a remarkable range of operations, including helping central banks such as the RBI to upgrade and automate core banking systems
Consultancy and advisory services provider of the year: SkySparc
Skysparc has helped to test and upgrade treasury management systems at major European central banks, proving instrumental in helping tackle growing volumes of securities transactions and cashflows
Banknote and currency services provider of the year: Innovia Security
A consistent, collaborative approach in a wide range of countries, including Canada and the UK, has enabled the polymer pioneer to stay ahead of its peers on banknote service provision
Norges Bank's Øystein Olsen on governance and managing the world's largest SWF
Øystein Olsen, governor of Norges Bank, speaks to Christopher Jeffery about greater transparency and governance, including managing the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund