Financial inclusion
Public satisfaction with BoE rises with policy understanding
The research recommends targeting young people with low incomes, as well as women
Central bank alters export regulation for sea cucumbers
End of trading ban has led to boom in the Solomon Islands’ exports of the sea creatures
Mauritius governor opens new currency museum named after first governor
Museum ‘Aunauth Beejadhur’ will exhibit Mauritian currency throughout the ages, with plans to expand scope to include financial literacy at a later date
Anti-gambling nudges can improve household finances – Philly Fed research
Natural experiment shows how removing “geographically close cues” can help tackle addiction
US income inequality boosted by top 0.01% – research
Income via “pass-through businesses” is a great contributor to top inequality
Cambodia launches first phase of payment inclusion network
New network will allow customers greater access to financial services through ATMs and POS to make interbank transactions
Kenya’s digital transformation
The use of innovative digital financial services has transformed financial inclusion in Kenya, writes the chairman of the Central Bank of Kenya
Half of UK consumers ‘potentially vulnerable’ – FCA survey
First survey of ‘financial lives’ finds over 25 million people at greater risk of financial difficulties
Ethiopia launches ‘first of its kind’ swap agreement with Sudan
Central banks to swap $16 million under new agreement designed to strengthen financial co-operation and ease Ethiopia’s foreign exchange pressures
PNG’s Bakani defends board’s overseas travel expenses
Governor crosses swords with predecessor, who claims decision to hold board meeting overseas makes Bakani unfit to lead the central bank
Argentine central bank can progress without independence law – chief economist
Pablo Neumeyer says current policies are working and may create the consensus for future law
IMF explores Balkan female employment conundrum
Fund shows policies are needed to secure both supply and inclusion of women; quality of institutions should be improved
RBI launches economics blog
“Mint Street Memos” comprise brief reports and analysis from RBI economists; first post studies beneficial effects of demonetisation for “financialisation” of savings
PNG governor urges country to reduce reliance on extractive industries
Bank of Papua New Guinea governor says country needs to diversify its industries and create a culture of savings
St Louis’s Bullard on the future of the Fed and its monetary policy record
St Louis Fed president James Bullard rails against east coast dominance, favours aspects of the Choice Act and says Fed monetary policy was a “factor” that fuelled crisis
New leaders take charge at Philippines central bank
New governor pledges to enhance financial inclusion, mitigate cyber-crime risk and fine-tune monetary policy to make it more market-oriented
Indonesian deputy Perry on revolutionising monetary and financial policy
Perry Warjiyo explains the central bank’s radical overhaul of monetary policy operations, market deepening and financial inclusion in Indonesia
Filipinos lack knowledge to make “informed” saving decisions – Tetangco
Survey results highlight the need for improved financial education programme; Philippines central bank to “enhance” outreach initiatives
BoJ’s Kuroda cites three channels to promote financial inclusion
Bank of Japan governor urges policymakers to enhance financial inclusion in Asia
Income inequality should be a concern for central banks – IMF panel
IMF panel debates impact of unconventional monetary policy on income inequality, concluding institutions should be more aware of policy effects on income disparities despite no specific mandate
Bank Negara Malaysia invites public to submit ‘fintech hacks'
Malaysia’s central bank extends research into fintech through public project; hopes regulatory sandbox will produce “game-changing results”
RBI research: demonetisation hit growth but helped inclusion
Authors find scrapping high-value notes impacted Indian growth and inflation but pushed many people to open bank accounts and improved policy transmission
New Barbados governor casts critical eye over public sector
Efficiency of services offered by the public sector needs improvement, says Haynes; current issues are a “great cost” to productivity
Central bank governor of the year: Carlos Fernández Valdovinos
The governor of the Central Bank of Paraguay has had considerable success hitting Paraguay’s tightening inflation target while boosting the nation’s economic credentials