Central Banking
Fed overpaid for crisis assets by $21 billion: government report
Congressional Budget Office report estimates the Federal Reserve subsidised banks and investors by $21 billion through its credit programmes
An open letter to the chancellor of the exchequer
The UK government’s plans for financial regulation are far from clear, writes Bill Allen, a former deputy director at the Bank of England
ECB buys another €10 billion in government debt
Analysts split on whether second round of purchases with German ban on naked short spooks European markets
Spanish CDS spread jumps as four banks announce merger
Four regional savings banks announce merger after one ailing lender was seized and placed into administration by the central bank on Saturday; move plays into investor fear that banking sector is unsteady
Iosco calls on regulators to share information
International securities body says members should cooperate outside an enforcement context to spot disturbing trends; report sets out principles of bilateral information-sharing deals
Securities and Exchange Commission appoints new chief financial officer
SEC's appointment of new chief financial officer follows criticisms last year from the US Government Accountability Office
RBA offshoot used prostitutes and bribes to win contracts: police witness alleges
Former employee of Securency, a Reserve Bank of Australia offshoot, alleges firm used bribes and prostitutes to win contracts to supply polymer substrate to foreign central banks
Richmond Fed – Annual Report 2009
Richmond Federal Reserve study on systemic risk finds that policy interventions may harm market incentives if implemented during a crisis
Philly Fed: Income gap has widened in Third District counties
Philadelphia Federal Reserve study finds greater income inequality in its area following economic downturn
NY Fed’s Dudley: US jobs market still has bright future
New York Federal Reserve president William Dudley offers positive outlook on jobs despite continued stresses in economy
RBI’s Chakrabarty pushes for greater funding to India's SMEs
Reserve Bank of India's Kamalesh Chakrabarty discusses long term goals for microfinance in India
Bank of Spain bail-out spooks investors
Spanish central bank’s rescue of savings bank CajaSur on Saturday sees Spanish bank shares falling on Monday; central bank says rescued bank accounts for very small percentage of system overall
Foreign holdings of US Treasuries fall for second straight week
Data show holdings of US Treasuries by foreign central banks with accounts at the Federal Reserve declined for a second successive week; use of swap lines lower than expected
Rate round-up: Israel opts to hold
Israeli, Kenyan, Turkish and Serbian central banks’ rates remain unchanged
Volcker rule fails to make approved Dodd bill
Key amendment omitted; Fed gains powers but will face audit in sweeping regulatory reform
Norges Bank takes billion dollar hit in 2009
Annual accounts show Norway's central bank lost Nkr7.6 billion ($1.16 billion) in 2009
ECB's Trichet: ESRB will deliver macroprudential oversight
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet outlines role of European Systemic Risk Board in supervisory framework
SF Fed: pre-crisis regulation of financial markets
A San Francisco Federal Reserve study looks at the role of government during the financial crisis and calls for a greater state role in regulation
Bank of Canada: Credibility helps keep inflation expectations anchored
Bank of Canada study shows central bank credibility helped anchor inflation expectations during global financial crisis
Riksbank’s Persson: don’t shoot CDS ‘messenger’
The Swedish central bank uses CDS spreads as an indicator of financial stability
Bank of Italy defends change on capital accounting
Allowing banks to ignore falling bond prices for capital purposes is a legitimate move, says regulator
Eurozone crisis weighs on Swiss exit plans: SNB's Jordan
Swiss National Bank deputy head Thomas Jordan says normalisation of monetary policy hampered by eurozone debt crisis
Iran's central bank faces sanctions squeeze
Iranian central bank's dealings could come under international spotlight if Security Council passes nuclear sanctions package
Weber calls for broader scope to Basel III
Bundesbank President Axel Weber says new Basel rules should incorporate a macroprudential element to overcome systemic risks