Exchange rate
Iranian central bank struggles to support plummeting rial
‘Foreign exchange centre’ set up by Central Bank of Iran to regulate exchange rate as rial falls sharply in value; fears emerge that currency free-fall could cause hyperinflation
IMF paper considers risks to sovereign assets
Study by IMF discusses benefits of sovereign asset and liability management frameworks; finds they help account for correlations between separate indicators
ECB paper examines ability of central banks to tackle dual liquidity crises
ECB study investigates how different monetary regimes impact on the ability of central banks to contain dual liquidity crises; finds less interference equates to more action
Colombian paper probes predictive power of expectations
Central Bank of Colombia study investigates the accuracy of exchange rate expectations during the past nine years; finds discrepancy between short and long term
Czech National Bank cuts rates to record low
Governing board votes to cut rates to historic low in face of persistent weakness in the economy; possibility of unconventional policy measures if low growth continues
Reserve Bank of New Zealand annual report details foreign exchange losses
Reserve Bank of New Zealand annual report outlines 'sluggish' growth rates and foreign exchange losses, but predicts an increase in future economic activity
Riksbank minutes highlight ‘unexpectedly rapid’ currency appreciation
Minutes of the Rikbank’s September monetary policy meeting show all board members raised concerns about the strength of the krona; governor says action is needed in eurozone
Fed paper examines Chinese response to rate shocks
Federal Reserve study explores the response of the People’s Bank of China to foreign interest rate shocks; says liberalisation of foreign currency policies could reduce central bank’s costs
SNB maintains minimum exchange rate
The Swiss National Bank announces an unchanged minimum exchange rate; Swiss franc has not depreciated as expected
Canadian governor refuses to lean on exchange rate
Mark Carney praised effect of high commodity prices on Canada’s economy despite currency appreciation; says he will not intervene in exchange rates
Central Bank of Myanmar embraces radical overhaul
Central bank close to securing operational independence and staffing needed to manage monetary policy and foreign exchange; aggressive banking, payments and capital markets reform on its agenda
SNB’s Jordan defends decision not to activate capital buffer
Thomas Jordan explains the choice not to activate counter-cyclical capital buffer; nevertheless says this is ‘far from an all-clear’ as the risk of further imbalances persists
National Bank of Serbia reports on ‘dinarisation’ strategy
Quarterly report gives overview of National Bank of Serbia’s efforts to encourage use of dinar; finds that local currency as a share of total lending and deposits fell in the second quarter
Bank of Thailand governor explains changed policy stance
Prasarn Trairatvorakul says increases in interest rate were put on hold following floods and eurozone uncertainty; warns rates could go either way
IMF paper tests portfolio rebalancing impact on exchange rates
Working paper studies effect of changes to equities portfolios in driving adjustments in exchange rates; finds higher stock market returns cause depreciation of currency
IMF paper studies impact of US interest rates on sub-Saharan Africa
Working paper assesses degree to which exchange rates in sub-Saharan Africa respond to changes in US interest rates; finds movements depend on openness of capital account
ECB paper warns of capital control externalities
Working paper examines spillover from tax on capital inflows into Brazil; identifies significant direct impact amplified by signalling effects
National Bank of Serbia moves to shore up confidence
Executive board raises interest rates and increases dinar reserve requirements; Serbian government says new budget being prepared as IMF delegation arrives
SNB reveals scale of latest foreign exchange purchases
Swiss National Bank posts large increase in foreign exchange holdings from June to July; purchases represent efforts by central bank to prevent safe-haven flows into country
Swiss National Bank posts profit in first half of year
Latest figures show central bank made a profit in first half of the year; majority of gains come from holdings of foreign currency purchased to maintain minimum exchange rate against euro
Curacao and Sint Maarten governor discusses central bank co-operation
Emsley Tromp says co-ordinated action by central banks is particularly important in emerging markets; outlines four areas where closer ties would be beneficial
IMF paper finds changing resilience of emerging markets to financial shocks
Working paper assesses net change in ability of emerging markets to absorb financial shocks; says improved economic fundamentals are offset by vulnerabilities due to inflexible exchange rates
Central Bank of Iceland chief warns of foreign exchange intervention risks
Már Guðmundsson discusses problems posed by free-floating exchange rates; says central bank actions to lean against capital flows may fragment financial system
ADB economist moots idea of common currency in Asia
Principal economist at Asian Development Bank says common currency possible in ‘long run’; panellists outline possibilities for greater Asian economic integration