Central Banking
Irish central bank may spread higher levy on finance industry over time
The Central Bank of Ireland may spread the proposed increase in its annual levy on the financial industry over several years, but it still backs the call for non-banks to meet 100% of costs
RBNZ reveals adjustments to ‘tight budgetary framework’
Central bank cuts 15 positions in preparation for new funding agreement; talk of an ‘offshore office’ put on ice last year as operating expenses ran over budget
IMF staff calls for ‘comprehensive strategy’ on non-performing loans
IMF staff call for creation of asset management companies to free up European banks from distressed debt; cites Spain as good example
Macro-prudential institutions were designed too hastily, Tucker warns
Group of economists including former BoE deputy warn macro-prudential policies are too poorly understood and were too hastily assembled to be effective, outlining possible enhancements
Lithuanian paper explores macroeconomic imbalances
Working paper advocates a more refined analysis of the misalignments in current accounts and real effective exchange rates for the macroeconomic imbalance procedure
Irish deputy Stefan Gerlach steps down early
Academic economists praise Gerlach, who was seen as ‘outside appointment’ who improved bank’s research and data provision; deputy had decided not to apply for governorship
Charlie Bean expects natural rate to change course
Former BoE deputy believes evidence points to a gradual rise in the natural rate of interest; suggests government is better placed than central bank to solve zero lower bound problem
BoE’s FPC says no immediate action required on buy-to-let
Bank of England financial policy committee is ‘alert’ to impact of buy-to-let loans on the housing market and overall financial volatility but finds no ‘immediate’ case for action
ECB paper considers how to mitigate US spillovers
Global economies could mitigate their vulnerability to US monetary policy decisions through a range of different policy actions, research finds.
Taiwan cut seen as start of easing cycle
Prompted by negative inflation and stalling growth amid China slowdown, the central bank cuts rates for first time since 2011
UK banks won't face FRTB capital hike – BoE official
Policy expert says most trading risks already captured under Pillar 2 framework
Norway signals further easing as it cuts again
Norwegian central bank looks to cut rates further with inflation set to fall back to 2% over the forecast horizon
IMF paper offers recipe for ‘de-dollarisation’
High levels of dollarisation in central Asia are contributing to macroeconomic instability, paper says; authors offer various options that could help reduce reliance on dollars
Micro-data matters for unemployment, says BoE’s Broadbent
Deputy governor becomes latest economist to stress importance of micro data for macro policy, warning overreliance on ‘simple aggregates’ may lead central bankers astray
People: FCA names COO; RBA shuffles assistant governors
Financial Conduct Authority announces Georgina Philippou as COO; Michele Bullock named assistant governor for business services in Australia; and more
Bundesbank board member wary of flexibility in fiscal rules
Carl-Ludwig Thiele calls for more "balance" between liability and control in the eurozone, stressing the importance of enforcing fiscal rules
Competition can boost macro-financial stability, research finds
A survey of 54 European banks shows increased competition increases the fragility of individual banks but decreases systemic risk, working paper says
Fed board approves changes to same-day ACH service
Institutions that receive payments through the ACH network will have to participate in same-day service, but will be compensated by a new interbank fee levied on originators
Draghi: too early to judge impact of global events on eurozone inflation
Mario Draghi says slowing growth in EMs, strong euro and weak commodity prices have ‘renewed downside risks’ to outlook; Peter Praet says eurozone still ‘going through correction phase’
Belgian and French central banks get larger role buying asset-backed securities
The ECB makes the National Bank of Belgium the second central bank authorised to buy bonds under its asset-backed securities purchase programme; Banque de France role expanded
Organisations outline next step in plans to strengthen CCPs
Basel-based groups and Iosco publish workplan for coordinated international policies on CCPs, and offer update on story so far; 2016 will see the bulk of analysis published
Belgian paper explores link between monetary policy and risk-taking
Model suggests central banks should stabilise the path of the real interest rate more when there is a ‘risk-taking channel’ of monetary policy, to help reduce ‘welfare detrimental fluctuations’
BoE’s Shafik sees scope for reducing sovereign spillovers
Policies are available that could help reduce the risk of ‘disorderly spillovers’ between sovereigns, with lessons to be learned from the lender-of-last-resort function, deputy governor says
Moldovan officials attack use of central bank as 'scapegoat'
Governor and first deputy of Moldova's central bank attack 'attempts at a government level' to delay banking investigation; will remain in place for three months 'unless replaced'