Central Banking
Norges Bank researchers grapple with nonlinear exchange rate pass-through
Exchange rate pass-through in Norway is unusually high, which the authors suggest could be due to the size of recent currency movements – but pinning down the effect empirically proves difficult
PSR has taken ‘decisive action’ in its first year – managing director
Nixon marks PSR’s first birthday with speech in Copenhagen; regulator has helped in improving access and “levelling the playing field” for market participants
RBA establishes new macro modelling division
External review recommends new approach to “full-system” models at heart of policy analysis, warning modelling expertise is limited at the central bank
Swiss National Bank bolsters security features of first banknote in new series
The new series printed on three-layered substrate boasts a range of new security features; Sfr50 enters circulation on April 12
Canadian banks could withstand shock from China, deputy governor suggests
Financial institutions have adequate capital liquidity to handle external pressures, Wilkins says; research suggests Canadian growth would decrease by 0.1% if Chinese growth fell by 1%
Ghanaian deputy becomes new governor
One of two deputy governors of the Bank of Ghana takes over top role; Abdul-Nashiru Issahaku joined bank in July 2013 after working for several international agencies
Investors to sue Portuguese central bank over asset writedown
A group of bondholders in a failed bank are bringing a lawsuit against the Portuguese central bank over its writedown of their holdings in a failed commercial bank
Coen looks to wider issues affecting bank resilience
Secretary general of Basel Committee highlights importance of corporate governance and culture, IT systems and stress tests for resilience and profitability
Australian inflation likely to remain low for next two years, governor says
"Accommodative" monetary policy appropriate as GDP picks up, Glenn Steven says
People: Bank of Estonia reappoints deputies; Lagarde wants to reappoint IMF first deputy
Bank of Estonia hands new terms to Ülo Kaasik and Madis Müller; David Lipton in line for reappointment at IMF; Graeme Wheeler to head up BIS Asian Consultative Council; and more
Fiji central bank will launch second financial inclusion strategy ‘shortly’
Second financial inclusion strategy to place “special emphasis” on insurance; governor praises success of first scheme in meeting targets, but 27% of population remains unbanked
Seychelles central bank will chair new financial stability committee
Advisory body will comprise representatives from four different public bodies and meet on a quarterly basis; supported by new financial stability unit within central bank
Reserve Bank of India modifies liquidity framework
Rajan spells out plans to “progressively lower” the liquidity deficit in the banking system as part of a broader shift in focus; RBI cuts policy rate by 25bp with inflation on track
Bank of Thailand frets over zero lower bound
Minutes show latest policy decision influenced by worries over financial imbalances and perceived need to maintain “policy space” in event of economic hit
West African union must improve monetary transmission, IMF staff say
The West African Economic and Monetary Union must increase the effectiveness of monetary policy, IMF staff say; reforms should target bank refinancing and government securities markets
Dutch central bank starts retaining €500m yearly as risk provision
The Netherlands Bank plans to retain €3bn of profits in six annual instalments to cover against possible credit and interest rate risk
ECB had to act to forestall fall in inflation expectations, Praet says
The ECB had to expand its unconventional monetary policy to prevent a downward shift in long-term eurozone inflation expectations, Peter Praet says; inaction of others “no excuse”
Israel must close productivity gap, Flug says
Bank of Israel governor calls on government to work on closing gap with advanced economies, which could boost living standards by a third, she says
Norway’s Olsen plans to seek reappointment
Norges Bank governor says he plans to seek a second term, as government launches public application process for position
Malaysian deputy tells companies to provide ‘more than just a payment solution’
Muhammad bin Ibrahim stresses importance of financial institutions providing “value-added services” to their customers if they are to remain competitive
Chicago and Cleveland Fed presidents back gradual path for rate increases
Charles Evans is “comfortable” with tightening implied by latest round of dot plots; he and Loretta Mester spell out outlooks for growth and inflation and risks surrounding them
Europe set for new Greek clash as Lagarde hits back over leaks
IMF chief has sharp words for the Greek prime minister after staff phone conversation is posted online by Wikileaks; debt relief remains a major sticking point as July repayment looms
Fibre optics raise concentration of forex trading - paper
Barry Eichengreen and co-authors find technological gains from submarine fibre optic cables helped increase the concentration of foreign exchange trading
Tax system severely reduces Italian banks’ profits – paper
Disparities in eurozone countries’ effective tax rates for their banking sectors may threaten banks’ ability to strengthen their capital, a Bank of Italy paper argues