Belgium
People: January to March 2024
A round-up of central bankers in the news and on the move during the past three months
The race to adopt ISO 20022 payments messaging
Some jurisdictions do not plan to adopt the protocol, while others are preparing for a disjointed implementation
Wunsch sceptical on forward guidance
Belgian governor says tool may be effective in a stable environment of below-target inflation
Wunsch calls for gradual ECB policy tightening
Belgian governor stresses risks posed by prolonged negative rates and QE
Pierre Wunsch on inflation, forward guidance and policy tightening
The National Bank of Belgium governor speaks about over-reliance on central bank models and forward guidance, the impact of energy costs and inflation expectations, and the need to unwind unconventional monetary policies
Book notes: Robert Triffin, by Ivo Maes with Ilaria Pasotti
Triffin’s story is well told by Maes, whose extensive personal and academic research shines through on page after page
Greening the central banks
What are members of the NGFS doing to ‘green’ their own operations? Officials from the central banks of Belgium, Canada and Morocco highlight some of their initiatives
European central bankers see room for fiscal-monetary co-operation
Pandemic showed it was “critical” for both policies to work together, say central bank governors
National Bank of Belgium paper looks at IMF research networks
IMF staff provide useful case study of how co-authorship networks form, paper says
Peter Praet on Europe’s Covid-19 responses
The former ECB chief economist talks about threats to financial stability, negative rates, common debt issuance and steps to improve the EMU
Belgium to launch new ‘smart’ ATM network
Network will look to solve geographical disparity and maintain cash services
Brexit uncertainties reduced Belgian exports to UK - NBB paper
Paper looks at impact on exports and imports of uncertainty caused by Brexit referendum
Belgian and Slovene central banks tighten macro-prudential regimes
NBB warns of Belgian mortgage risks and Slovene central bank cautions over consumer loans
New governor starts work at Belgian central bank
Former vice-governor Pierre Wunsch is backed by centre-right Francophone party
Belgium’s mint to close in 2018
Coin production will be outsourced to save money, given decline in production, losing no jobs in the process, Mint official says
ECB buys €500 million worth of renminbi for forex reserves
Belgian central bank also announces purchase of Chinese currency, plus South Korean won
ECB gives mixed reception to new macro-pru measures
Austrian proposals welcomed, but ECB raises concerns over Belgian draft law
Belgian paper examines use of illiquid loans as collateral
Liquidity and funding purposes both inform banks’ decisions, researchers say
People: Romanian deputy nominated; Belgium’s Dewatripont leaves central bank
Romania to soon have new deputy governor, pending parliamentary approval; National Bank of Belgium’s deputy Dewatripont leaves central bank; India creates CFO role; and more
Offshoring of services could hinder job security – paper
National Bank of Belgium examines impact of offshoring goods and services; pace of services offshoring could hurt job prospects for those working in the sector
Luc Coene, 1947–2017
Former Belgian central bank governor also had significant political career