Central Banking
OECD asks central banks to hold rates
OECD asks for rates hold and revises growth forecasts downwards; chief economist says further QE in the US "could be appropriate”
Case for QE3 mounts as US economy weakens
Federal Reserve presidents Charles Evans and John Williams make case for further quantitative easing, as latest Beige Book report reaffirms slowdown in US economic activity
CNB’s Hampl: debt reduction is only solution to sovereign crisis
Czech National Bank vice-governor Mojmír Hampl, says some form of debt reduction is needed to resolve the European sovereign debt crisis
Clear central bank communication facilitates greater policy flexibility: IMF paper
Fund study shows clear central bank communication can reduce inflation and interest rate volatility
Fiscal response to crisis eased demand shock: Norges Bank paper
Norges Bank study says intervention by some governments during the financial crisis prevented a sharp drop in demand
Supply-side constraints are mostly resolved: BoJ
Bank of Japan September report on Recent Economic and Financial Developments says decline in supply-side constraints has led to pick-up in economic activity
Libyan gold sold as Gaddafi regime ended
“Official” central bank assets safe, says new central bank governor; former dictator sold 29 tonnes of gold as opposition closed in
Market conditions factor in liquidity costs: ECB paper
European Central Bank study shows price of liquidity systematically depends on bank characteristics and market conditions
German courts stand by Greece bailout
Federal constitutional court rules Greece bailout as legal; clears way for establishment of eurozone bailout vehicle; says parliamentary budget committee must authorise future budgetary plans
Riksbank postpones rate hike on weaker global outlook
Riksbank votes to hold rates at 2% amid concerns over public finances abroad and deterioration in global growth; central bank revises downward repo path
Could the Swiss start a trend?
Robert Pringle discusses the Swiss National Bank's action to limit the exchange rate between the franc and the euro, and asks if others should, and will, follow
Kohn calls for improved transparency for all
Donald Kohn calls for more information from banks; notes “considerable” resources and effort put in by Bank of England to better understand the market
Kazakhstan puts faith in gold
Governor announces central bank will buy entire domestic gold bullion output until at least 2014
Australian regulator moves to implement Basel III two years early
The Australian banking regulator proposes early implementation of Basel III capital and liquidity rules; draws immediate criticism from the Australian Bankers’ Association
Estonia governor race narrows
Supervisory Board cuts two candidates from the running; Ardo Hansson and Andres Sutt continue in battle to become next governor
Buba’s Dombret emphasises importance of market-economy principles
Bundesbank executive board member Andreas Dombret says recent reforms should focus more not less on market-economy principles
Sovereign debt crisis reflects lack of confidence in euro: RBA’s Stevens
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says fiscal position of European countries risks undermining confidence in euro
Bank-based economies struggle more during recoveries: IMF paper
Fund study shows bank-based economies find it more difficult than market-based economies to recover from economic crises
SNB faces battle to maintain franc currency floor
Swiss National Bank pledges to set minimum euro exchange rate at Sfr1.20; analysts express concern over central bank’s ability to maintain exchange rate floor
Fears over Libyan central bank money realised: reports
Multi-vehicle convoy arrives in Niger carrying central bank cash and gold
Central banks’ flight to safety in reserve holdings continues
Reports continue to emerge from around the world of central banks diversifying their foreign currency reserves and adding to gold holdings
Step-up in rate hikes was warranted: RBI’s Mohanty
Reserve Bank of India executive director Deepak Mohanty says tighter monetary policy eased inflationary pressures
SNB paper identifies creative destruction effect in competitive markets
Swiss National Bank study expands on Schumpeterian growth models to highlight pro-competitive effects of technology from new entrants
NY Fed paper observes pre-FOMC meeting equity drift
New York Federal Reserve study explores what causes US equity markets to move drastically ahead of a FOMC meeting