Banks
NZ foreign minister attacks central bank chief for backing Powell
Breman told to ‘stay in her New Zealand lane’ after signing letter in support of Fed chair
Private credit to grow in Europe in 2026 – S&P
Basel implementation and diversification away from US point to more activity, analysts say
Philippines extends incentives for sustainable lending
BSP says banks can have up to 40% credit exposure for green projects for another two years
State Bank of Vietnam lowers credit growth target
Central bank says lenders should ‘strictly control’ loans to risky sectors
Credit spread risk: the cryptic peril on bank balance sheets
Some bankers fear EU regulatory push on CSRBB has done little to improve risk management
‘Green’ banks face lower repo rates – ECB study
Researchers say climate transition risk has implications for financial stability and policy transmission
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
Bowman’s Fed may limp on by after cuts
New vice-chair seeks efficiency, but staff clear-out could hamper functions, say former regulators
Jordan plans ‘quantum-resistant’ transition roadmap for banks
Central bank calls for co-ordination over encryption measures to ensure business continuity
Bulgaria becomes 21st member of the eurozone
Joining currency bloc is a “sign of belonging”, says governor Radev, as peers offer welcome
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