Asia-Pacific
Number of RTGS fee-regulating central banks rises
More than two-fifths of retail payments ecosystem were diversified in 2025
Edna Villa on the BSP’s shift to a risk-return SAA
The Philippines’ reserves head speaks about the transition to an upgraded strategic asset allocation framework, a broadening of eligible assets, the internalisation of some investments, the upgrade of tech platforms and the role of gold as a strategic…
High-value notes: default money for criminals?
Some experts say the notes are a boon for felons, and that central banks should stop issuing them
Reinventing reserve management: governance, risk and agility in a fragmented global financial system
Bank Indonesia’s new total‑portfolio approach tightens governance, risk controls and implementation speed in volatile global markets, writes reserves head Rahmatullah Sjamsudin
BIS announces board changes
Panetta elected chair, plus new roles for heads of RBA, BCB, BoJ and BoK
People: Macron nominates ex-chief of staff to take over at BdF
Plus: BoJ appoints new head of international affairs, and MNB deputy joins EBA board
BNM and BI boost co-operation amid ‘challenging’ geopolitics
Banks say agreement aims to promote regional stability and sustainable growth
Three-fifths of central banks use strategic progress monitoring tools
Respondents with wider set of objectives report highest usage of tools
Central banks increasingly use KPIs for strategic planning
Practice more widespread in jurisdictions that link annual reviews to all staff
Trends in reserve management 2026: survey results
101 central banks, responsible for $9.5trn+ reserves, reveal exclusive data on FX interventions, if the US dollar is still seen as a safe-haven currency and approaches to investing in 20+ currencies
Strategic control processes often data driven
Processing is implemented quarterly or bi-annually across jurisdictions
Annual reviews usually linked to strategic plans for some staff only
Remuneration commonly not linked with progress on strategic goals
Team leaders increasingly involved in strategic plan implementation
Respondents commonly review plans and re-align objectives after strategic cycles
Number of dedicated strategic planning units rises
Larger central banks more likely to have dedicated units
Few central banks involve third parties in strategic plan development
Standard operational budgets remain leading source of funding
Disclosure and supervision are top ESG strategy objectives
Emissions monitoring broadly in focus for central banks with narrower plans
Strategic planning frameworks widely draw on Swot analysis
European central banks’ strategies tend to favour Pestel analysis
Narrower strategic planners use more pillars than broader planners
Secondary objectives average 15 in central banks’ strategic plans
People: Bank of Greece approves new term for governor
Plus: change at the top in Vietnam, new general counsel at Netherlands Bank
Third of central banks set strategic plans on five-year horizons
Just one respondent implements planning on ad hoc basis
‘There is agency’: experts say countries can deal with tariffs
‘Bad behaviour’ by US and China has brought many other nations together, speakers say