Eurozone
ECB paper quantifies spillover from sovereign to corporate credit risk
Research studies direct spillover effects using credit default swaps and data on 226 firms from 15 European countries in aftermath of first Greek bail-out
Fewer counterfeit banknotes withdrawn in Portugal in 2015
Statistics released by Bank of Portugal reveal a drop in the number of counterfeits withdrawn from circulation last year; the €20 remains the most frequently faked denomination
Croatia makes it 25 central banks in Target2
The Croatian National Bank will, along with 24 commercial banks in the country, participate in the RTGS system from February 1, making it the fifth central bank outside the eurozone to join
ECB's Cœuré wants ‘corrective arm’ of EU tool used ‘forcefully’
European Central Bank executive board member stresses importance of sustainable rebalancing in the eurozone; wants to see potential of macroeconomic imbalance procedure realised
Spanish paper models synergies between demand and supply policies in monetary union
Working paper model sees benefits in jointly implementing structural reforms in the ‘periphery’ of a union, with fiscal expansion in the ‘core’ and forward guidance on interest rates
Emerging markets more vulnerable than developed economies to policy reversals, paper finds
Working paper published by the IMF considers impact of unconventional monetary policy in major economies on global liquidity and monetary conditions
Czech Republic chooses not to set target date for euro adoption
Government decision follows central bank and ministry of finance advice; authorities cite need for greater real economic convergence as a ‘main barrier’ to adoption
Weidmann calls for ‘truly independent’ fiscal council
Jens Weidmann says there are shortcomings with existing proposals for the body, including the absence of a ‘comply-or-explain’ approach
Bernanke and Trichet join Pimco global advisory board
Global investment management firm compiles new global advisory board from leaders in the world of economic and political policy
Draghi reasserts ECB’s willingness to act
Mario Draghi says there cannot be any limit to how far the ECB is willing to deploy its instruments within its mandate, after easing package meets with lukewarm reaction on markets
Consensus key for moving forward in Greece, says central bank
Bank of Greece stresses need for ‘unobstructed’ implementation of creditor agreement, as it publishes latest interim report on monetary policy
ECB extends asset purchases to March 2017 or beyond and cuts deposit rate
European Central Bank will continue buying assets until at least March 2017 as part of latest easing package; Draghi describes deposit rate as ‘driver’ of policy as council cuts it to -0.3%
Domestic euro users bear highest shoe leather costs, Bank of Italy paper finds
Euros circulate widely outside the eurozone, transferring some costs to foreigners – but the effect is small relative to the popularity of the euro as a global currency
ECB welcomes draft Portuguese law on banknote production
Proposals would remove requirement that Bank of Portugal must own 51% of legal entity responsible for banknote production; could pave way for closer co-operation with other NCBs
Researchers find ‘strong evidence’ of ECB policy spillovers to CEE countries
Working paper examines the spillover effects of the ECB’s ‘non-standard’ measures since 2007 on the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania
ECB flags threat of ‘abrupt reversal’ in risk premia
Latest review identifies two ‘medium-level systemic risks’ to the eurozone's financial stability, weak profitability prospects for banks and a potential ‘sharp adjustment’ in risk premia
Buch keen for macro-prudential tools despite no guarantee of use in ‘near future’
Bundesbank’s deputy president says it is important the authorities have the ability to nip ‘any unwelcome developments’ in the real estate market in the bud, should they arise
‘We will do what we must’ to hit target, says Draghi
ECB governor hints at further easing at next month’s monetary policy meeting
Honohan sets out virtues of new crisis tools in final speech
Irish governor stresses potential of direct recapitalisation and GDP-linked loans to help bolster debt sustainability in crisis-hit countries; expects successor Lane to come in with ‘big broom’
Visco questions sufficiency of five presidents’ report
Italian governor stresses progress ‘on the side of the political union’ should be considered sooner rather than later; broadly supports direction of roadmap
BIS paper models non-linear eurozone crisis impact
Researchers attempt to capture endogenous amplification mechanisms in causing widened lending spreads during eurozone crises
Decisions on ELA could be shifted to ECB
Mario Draghi says ‘intricate’ framework for providing emergency liquidity assistance could be reviewed in light of banking union; potential for decisions to become ‘more European’
Asset purchases having ‘sizeable’ impact on prices in eurozone, ECB paper finds
Working paper says ostensibly puzzling result can be explained by low levels of ‘market distress’ weakening some transmission channels but bolstering others
Eurozone macro-prudential policy should be ‘streamlined’, says Belgian director
Mathias Dewatripont praises shared responsibility as a ‘clever idea’ at ECB forum, but acknowledges this ‘leads to some complex procedures’