Banks
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.
RBI deputy on financial sector consolidation
An increasing number of India's private sector banks are now deciding to merge with one another, Shri Leedladhar, a deputy governor at the Reserve Bank of India, noted.
Russian state banks perform better than rivals
Domestic private banks are less efficient than their public-sector counterparts, research published by the Bank of Finland finds.
Banks made biggest contribution to Chinese growth
Banks have had a greater impact on Chinese growth than other financial institutions, research published by the Bank of Finland finds.
Canadian banks match central bank cut
Canada's biggest banks have lowered lending rates by 25 basis points in spite of speculation before Tuesday's rate cut that they would fail to follow a central bank move.
ECB poll notes tighter borrowing conditions
In the wake of the credit turmoil, banks have become far less willing to lend to both households and businesses, a European Central Bank (ECB) survey reveals.
Kuwaiti SWF could be next to invest on Wall Street
Bader Al-Sa'ad, the head of Kuwait Investment Authority, the state's sovereign wealth fund, indicated that his could be the next fund to inject funds into a finance industry clawing for capital in the aftermath of the subprime crisis.
HK market structure has little impact on profit
Cost efficiency is significantly more important than market structure in determining the profitability of banks in Hong Kong, according to research published by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
German sovereign wealth rules "lean and liberal"
Germany's planned legislation to limit investment by sovereign wealth funds will allow foreign funds to buy banks, media companies and consumer industries, but not in the energy sector.
Norwegian deputy predicts lower bank profits
Jarle Bergo, the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Norway, said on Thursday that conditions in the property and money markets were likely to drive down commercial banks' profit margins.
Bahamas steps up supervision
The Central Bank of The Bahamas has asked resident commercial banks to submit group organisational charts in order to comply with the Basel core principles for effective banking supervision.
Bank Indonesia changes loan regulations
Bank Indonesia, the country's central bank, has announced new limits the type and amount of corporate bonds which commercial banks can classify as "loans" in their official loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) calculations.
Philippines: e-rediscouting system
In a speech made on the launch of an electronic rediscounting system, Amando Tetangco Jr, governor of the central bank of the Philippines, said that the system would expand access to credit of countryside areas in the Mindanao region.