Banks
HKMA cuts discount rate by full percentage point
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on Wednesday cut the rate at which it lends to banks through its discount window by 100 basis points.
Loan surveys predict well future investment
The Bank of Canada's senior loan officer survey results provide useful information about future investment and the availability of business credit, finds a new research paper from the central bank.
Central banks pledge more dollars
Central banks around the world unveiled a fresh round of dollar auctions on Tuesday, aimed at tiding the banking system over the year-end period when money-market tensions tend to heighten.
Iceland suspends bank shares, offers guarantee
Iceland has halted trading on stocks in its beleaguered banks and guaranteed all customer deposits in a bid to stop a raft of selling on signs the country's banking system is near to collapse.
Banks push for global bailout
Banks have urged officials from around the world to cooperate on a global response to the financial crisis.
Riksbank striving to inform public on crunch
The Riksbank is providing and updating a list of questions and answers on the financial turmoil.
Canada's Murray on domestic credit markets
Strains in Canadian credit markets have been considerably less intense than those seen in the United States and elsewhere, said John Murray, a deputy governor of the Bank of Canada.
HKMA counters rumours third-largest lender unsound
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on Wednesday moved to placate fears that the Bank of East Asia, the territory's third-largest lender, is in trouble.
Reserve Bank of Australia - Annual Report 2007
The sound position of local banks was a major source of strength for the Australian financial system during last year, said Glenn Stevens, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, in the foreword the central bank's latest Annual Report.
Banking consolidation continues apace
After months of speculation of its weakest elements, the global banking sector has undergone what many are calling a long overdue consolidation within the space of a few days. Here's a summary of what has happened, its happening - and may happen next.
Triple shock leaves Wall Street in disarray
News of the Lehman Brothers' demise, the sale of Merrill Lynch and major concerns over the health of a range of other financial institutions has put the risk of rapid contagion and a systemic meltdown of the financial sector back at the top of central…
Banks step in with superfund
Ten of the world's biggest banks have joined forces to create a $70 billion liquidity fund intended to mitigate the impact of the latest round of financial turmoil.
PBoC cuts to restore confidence
The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has cut its base lending rate and lowered the ratio of funds that banks must set aside as reserves in an effort to shore up confidence in the country's stock and real estate markets.
Interdependence requires payment overhaul
Central banks need to adjust their oversight of payment and settlement systems to the new reality of heightened interdependence in financial markets, said Haruyuki Toyama, a deputy director general at the Bank of Japan at SIBOS, an industry forum…
IMF: emergency liquidity frameworks not ideal
There are shortcomings in the existing emergency liquidity frameworks of central banks, said Saleh Nsouli, the director for offices in Europe at the International Monetary Fund.
Tough times ahead for US borrowers: Fed poll
Lending standards have tightened and are set to become more stringent still, the Fed's latest lending survey shows.
Fiji: use electronic payments system more
Bank customers need to use Fijiclear, Fiji's electronic payments system, more, said Sada Reddy, the deputy governor of the country's Reserve Bank.
Philippines' Tetangco praises microfinance
Microfinance is no longer a "mere buzzword" but part of the financial mainstream, said Amando Tetangco, the governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines.
Stock prices count in bank lending
Stock markets play a key role in the lending decisions of European banks, finds a new paper from Banque de France.
Community banks can thrive: RBA's Stevens
A role still exists for the community banking model, says Glenn Stevens, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
SEC memorandum a short-term fix: Bernanke
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) and the Federal Reserve, introduced Monday, is only meant to address the short-term issues surrounding the regulation of investment banks, Ben Bernanke, the…
Fed details banks' balance sheet developments
The Federal Reserve has published an account of the profits of and balance-sheet developments at US commercial banks in 2007.
Senator questions plans for greater Fed role
The top Republican on the US Senate Banking Committee has challenged plans to extend the Fed's regulatory power.
Eurozone banks toughen lending standards
Borrowing across the eurozone became harder for both the region's businesses and consumers in the three months to March, the latest European Central Bank lending survey reveals.