Central Banking
IMF on the properties of sovereign default models
Research suggests two improvements to model used to account for rate movements in emerging markets
Bank of Finland – Annual Report 2009
Figures for 2009 show profits up by 5%
Greece takes grudging step towards bailout
Greek government initiates procedures concerning proposed $40 billion rescue with eurozone and IMF, problems anticipated in joint effort
Thailand likely to postpone hike as protests turn bloody
Bank of Thailand will put off rate normalisation till June in order to soothe markets rattled by clashes between anti-government protestors and army, say analysts
Sheikh Hamed replaces brother as Adia managing director
Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan takes over Sheikh Ahmed’s role at helm of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
FSA names new consumer education chief
Supervisor picks pensions regulator head Tony Hobman to lead new consumer financial education body
Ndung’u calls for new reforms in MFI scheme
Kenyan governor Ndung’u draws up plans to enhance MFI’s incorporation
New York: US recovery setback by unemployment figures
New York Fed president William Dudley describes sluggish recovery growth related to high unemployment
ECB: fiscal deficits attributable to crisis
ECB paper shows European fiscal budgets were unprepared for intervening in markets during crisis
Bank of Canada highlights requirements for global recovery
Study shows a rebalance in global current account necessary for sustainable growth
Azerbaijan central bank pushes to privatise banks
Central bank chairman Elman Rustamov outlines plans to privatise the Azerbaijan’s banking sector
CNB’s Tůma ends term seven months early
Czech National Bank governor to step down in June to stagger terms of board members
Argentina’s Marcó del Pont gets green light but reserves plan fails
Argentine Senate approves Mercedes Marcó del Pont as central bank’s new governor but lower house rejects President’s reserves plan; controversial debt swap to be unveiled
Vietnam lifts loan rate caps to dampen inflation
Vietnamese central bank frees commercial loan rates from base rate to stymie credit growth, new law which would give it more independence under discussion
EU finance chiefs to mull creditor haircuts
European finance ministers will discuss proposals to dock uninsured creditors and adopt instruments that convert debt to equity in distress at informal meeting on Saturday
Lacker: Fed needs to offload risky assets first
Richmond Fed President tells audience MBS sales would reduce distortions in asset prices.
Fed's Tarullo sceptical over contingent capital
Federal Reserve's Daniel Tarullo highlights drawbacks of contingent capital forming part of new regulatory framework
Norges Bank: discretionary policy as good as simple rule policy
Norges Bank paper shows that optimal monetary policy is equally as effective in conducting policies as a simple rule system.
BoJ study links widening CDS spreads in Greece to greater sovereign debt risk
Bank of Japan study shows strong relationship between fiscal health and CDS spreads
Stimulus saved Asia, but currency changes crucial: ADB
Asia growth to soar on remnants of stimulus, but currency appreciation and capital controls key to long-term prospects, says Asian Development Bank
Fund relents on capital controls
IMF admits capital controls have a role to play in its latest flagship report overturning long-held position, fleshes out possible capital surcharge framework
Central bank net gold sales fell 80% in 2009
Slowdown in European sales and India's purchase from IMF lead net sales to slump to 41 tonnes says research body
Singapore in surprise tightening
Monetary Authority of Singapore raises centre of exchange rate band, says it will target modest currency appreciation
Bair: FDIC-style bailout needed for very large banks
Chairwoman of the FDIC Sheila Bair outlines resolution regime for the biggest firms