Banks
Japan’s monetary base declines for first time in 18 years
BoJ’s balance sheet also shrank by 9.4% last year amid policy normalisation drive
Renato Gomes on Pix, Drex and digital asset regulation
Brazil’s deputy governor speaks with Christopher Jeffery about pros and pitfalls of open finance, financial inclusion and crime on Pix, and the need to sideline DLT for Drex phase 3
Book notes: Money in crisis, by Ignazio Angeloni and Daniel Gros
This book should be essential reading for policy-makers at a time of uncertainty and technological change
National central banks hold rates across Europe
Albania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway and Sweden all leave policy unchanged
Indonesia holds as Thailand eases policy
Economists predict both countries’ central banks will aim for looser liquidity in 2026
Serbia vows to ‘prevent unjustified pressure’ on FX market
Central bank says it will fight for stability as crisis prompts citizens to swap dinars for euros
New capital requirements will reduce borrowing costs – RBNZ
Lenders to hold substantially less than under previous recommendations
Richard Doornbosch on central banking in a tempestuous climate
The president of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten speaks to Christopher Jeffery about addressing legacy financial scandals, transition to a Caribbean guilder, tapping gold holdings and managing a currency peg at a time of US policy uncertainty
ECB looks to simplify bank regs, supervision and reporting
Recommendations include merged buffers, lesser reporting burdens and an easier life for smaller banks
The prospects for retail CBDCs
Open instant payments systems offer a quicker route to financial deepening, for now
Eurozone bank uncompetitiveness a ‘myth’ – Schnabel
Regulations have made lenders better, says ECB board member
BIS points to ‘structural transformations’ in markets
Quarterly review cites higher volatility and gold losing its status as a safe haven asset
Public backstop complements private liquidity – BoE paper
Wholesale funding conditions improve even without banks tapping lending facilities, researchers find
Bank of Russia to scrap some FX transfer limits
Institution to lift restrictions four months early for citizens and foreigners from “friendly countries”
US banks hoping for end of DFAST global market shock
As Fed consults on stress-test reform, lobby group argues regulator is double-counting market risk
Nigeria to discourage cash withdrawals and make deposits easier
Central bank says reform package aims to reduce cash usage and tackle money laundering
NBFIs could dent transmission – Bundesbank board member
Growing non-bank activity could diminish banking channel’s importance, says Köhler-Geib
MNB puts sectoral buffers in place as real estate pressure mounts
Subsidised loans have increased demand for property eightfold, central bank finds
BoE lowers capital requirements for banks
Governor says move reflects sector’s evolution as institution publishes latest fin stab report
Permissionless payments may be the future – NY Fed study
Stablecoins’ accessibility makes them different from other fast payment options, say authors
Serbia says sanctions on Russia pose financial stability risks
Central bank sounds warning as government threatens to divest Russian stakes in domestic oil refiner