Banks
Technology services: SAP
The software company pulled off a high-stakes ‘big-bang’ launch of a new core banking system for the Saudi Central Bank
Project Ellipse: real-time data and the ‘art of the possible’
BIS’s Andrew McCormack and MAS’s Kenneth Gay talk about phase two of the suptech project, which combines real-time news with regulatory data
Currency initiative: Central Bank of the Philippines’ Cash Service Alliance
Homegrown IT system allows Philippine central bank to direct cashflows between banks during Covid-19
Payment services: CMA
The Swedish payments firm is well known as a provider of core infrastructure for central banks, and is now a key player in a new payment system linking the Arab world and beyond
Thailand’s SEC bans crypto payments
BoT proposes limits on banks’ digital asset investments
RBI paper finds high market power can undermine bank stability
Author documents “inverse U-shaped” relationship, suggesting only some mergers are desirable
Project Dunbar raises ‘more questions than answers’
BIS’s multi-CBDC project focused on qualitative benefits and trialled small-scale cross-border transfers
Central Banking Awards 2022: second tranche announced
Awards published today include capacity building, communications, website and global markets
Central bankers see ‘potential’ in stablecoins
But John Williams, Cecilia Skingsley and Perry Warjiyo warn such systems must be better regulated
ECB supervision and the state of the eurozone’s banks
ECB banking supervision has passed the first stage of the Covid-19 test. But many challenges remain, including banks’ internal governance and data processing, excessive leveraged lending in some segments, and a lack of progress towards a more competitive…
Governor of the year: Mario Marcel
Chile’s governor has expertly navigated a third currency crisis in two years, amid wider EM stress and political volatility, while bolstering the central bank’s capabilities
Central banking in occupied Ukraine: what might happen?
How Russian authorities might deal with banking and currency in occupied Ukraine
Liu He intervention helps calm Chinese markets
Authorities promise easier policy as economy hit by Covid outbreak and Russia-Ukraine war
No bank meets ECB expectations on climate disclosures
Supervisor sees progress since 2020 report, but significant gaps remain unaddressed
Energy firms call for central bank support to cover margin spikes
Trade body warns energy market participants risk being unable to meet “unprecedented margin requirements”
Book notes: Shutdown, by Adam Tooze
A useful, wide-ranging overview, showing how health and economic policies are intimately intertwined with geopolitics
Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism focus report 2022
Anti-money laundering authorities face a never-ending battle to track and block the proceeds of financial crime. Increasingly, they are finding themselves in a technological race to stay ahead of criminals
Reciprocity can curb macro-prudential ‘leakages’ – BIS paper
But gains can be small, which may explain limited use of reciprocity to date, authors say
Digital money and central banks
Central banks must reflect on the monetary policy, regulatory and financial stability implications from crypto assets, stablecoins and CBDCs to stay relevant in the digital age of money
Hong Kong recovery expected to slow – IMF
Fund warns of risks including exposures to Chinese real estate and further supply disruption
State Bank of Pakistan launches simplified digital account
Central bank governor says Asaan Digital Account should boost women’s participation in finance
Visa, Mastercard and Amex suspend Russia operations
Bank of Russia says domestic payments will still be possible across its own systems
UAE central bank to 'Emiratise' finance sector
Measure will reserve 5,000 jobs for nationals by 2026
Ukrainian central bank says lenders and payments remain stable
Shevchenko warns over foreign currency pricing as Russia increases reinsurance capital