Central Banking
Immigration reduces inflation in US – IMF paper
But immigrants put upward pressure on house prices, study finds
Bank Indonesia’s YouTube channel hacked
Hackers streamed bitcoin-related content before page was restored
Trump names interim heads of financial regulators
US president also bans agencies from taking decisions until permanent appointees are in place
Lebanon’s depositors unlikely to see compensation, say analysts
Economists remain pessimistic, with one saying central bank should seek external help
Turkey’s central bank cuts rates by another 250bp
Second consecutive reduction comes despite inflation remaining at 44%
China tells insurers and mutual funds to buy more stocks
Regulators, including PBoC, provide new instructions to boost domestic equities market
Norges Bank says time is not yet right for easing
Central bank holds rates, but suggests cut is likely in March
AI can solve more complex economic models – BIS paper
Neural networks help economists solve and estimate non-linear heterogeneous agent models
Bank of Israel governor hints at rate cuts this year
Yaron suggests up to two cuts in second half of 2025 as inflation edges towards bank’s target
Inflation uncertainty spills over into US – Fed study
Lack of clarity over input costs and interest rates leads to lower levels of investment, study finds
Libya to issue new banknotes
Central bank announces plan for five, 10 and 20 dinar bills amid continued cash shortage
Bank Negara Malaysia holds policy rate
Central bank has left key rate unchanged for 20 months against backdrop of strong growth
EBA launches stricter EU-wide stress test for 2025
Banks face more scrutiny of credit risks following “overly optimistic projections” in past exercises
European Commission in ‘listening mode’ on potential FRTB changes
Delay or relief measures on the table after UK postpones start of Basel III to 2027
IMF commends Ethiopian central bank’s reforms
Institution says NBE’s measures helped country make progress in debt restructuring talks
Fed leaves central bank climate alliance
Departure from NGFS came ahead of US withdrawal from Paris climate agreement
Large firms drive inflation in advanced economies – BIS study
Analysis of barcode scanner data finds pricing decisions by individual companies have outsize impact
Esma sets deadline for delisting non-compliant stablecoins
Providers have until end of March to fully comply with Mica regulation, European supervisor says
FX interventions ‘excessive’, says RBI’s former regional head
India’s central bank nevertheless claims its actions to prop up rupee have been effective
Vietnam’s central bank orders takeovers of two lenders
SBV continues with plan to force stronger banks to take over weaker ones
HKMA’s renminbi repo plans boost hopes for onshore access
Market participants optimistic that new provisions for offshore repos of onshore bonds are first step towards mainland access
Central banks’ words matter for climate
Line between EMEs speaking about greening finance and AEs being wary of climate risks are blurring, argues Emanuele Campiglio
Trumps launch cryptocurrencies ahead of inauguration
Donald’s and Melania’s meme coins come as administration signals crypto-friendly regulatory stance
BoE governor calls for greater global financial regulation
Bretton Woods institutions need to be proactive in an increasingly shock-prone world, Bailey says