The Americas
Central bank independence usually safeguarded by law
But one in 10 respondents see their autonomy threatened
Slight majority of US consumers ‘warm’ to CBDC, survey says
Respondents most interested in free use and widespread market adoption, Philadelphia Fed finds
Most central banks have policy independence
But some respondents provide details of pressure they have faced to change policy
AI threatens labour’s share of income, research finds
AI could increase inequality and social unrest, Philadelphia Fed paper argues
Monetary policy may have counterintuitive housing price effects – research
Researchers from the Dallas Fed say indirect effects may undercut policy’s aims
Middle income central banks lag on diversity and green policies
But code of ethics and whistleblower schemes remain common standards
Governors’ salaries tend to rise with country income
Low income developing countries less likely to disclose data
Federal Reserve posts largest operating loss ever
As of March 21, the Fed owed $157.8 billion to an accounting device, a “deferred asset”
African central banks most likely to manage sovereign wealth fund
FX reserve management, currency supply remain leading functions in most jurisdictions
US fiscal stimulus boosted vehicle price pressures – Fed research
Vehicle sales driven by consumer and small business stimulus, say Fed researchers
Debt-related driving bans create instability – Fed research
Punishments disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities
Governors rarely removed by central bank boards
Ultimate responsibility broadly vested in heads of state, other government entities
Switch to gold standard could stabilise prices – Philadelphia Fed research
Hypothetical return to monetary system would only lead to short-term price movements, study finds
Governors’ terms average just over five years
Central bank chiefs are typically allowed two consecutive terms in office
Around half of governments consult central banks on mandate reviews
Practice less likely to be found in Asia-Pacific and the Americas
Some US banks vulnerable due to non-deposit funding, paper finds
Banks reliant on capital markets saw profits fall during tightening cycle, researchers say
Stablecoins show ‘flight to safety’ dynamics – NY Fed paper
Researchers argue these runs on stablecoins could cause wider financial instability
Current US wage trends may be here to stay – NY Fed research
Researchers present new tools for predicting wage growth in US
Most central banks’ cloud services are software-focused
Operational environment is largely hybrid and public, while access to server is often domestic
Fintech employees trained in AI in just over one-third of central banks
Senior management staff are least trained across jurisdictions
AI being adopted in over half of central banks
Supervision, document automation, data analysis and research are primary areas of use
Regtech strategy still lacking in majority of central banks
Stress testing, AML/CFT risk and reporting are top areas of application
Suptech strategy adoption remains below 50%
Resource constraints and data quality issues are still barriers
Nearly all central banks see CBDC as environmentally friendly
Few jurisdictions see initiative as comparable to banknotes’ lifecycle