Interest rates
Sarb governor underlines bank’s operational independence
The government cannot ‘dictate’ interest rate policy, governor Kganyago says, emphasising the South African Reserve Bank can implement ‘appropriate policy’ without political interference
Further policy easing will be required – RBNZ assistant governor
Another rate cut on the cards despite improved inflation outlook, says McDermott, emphasising need for accommodative monetary policy to push inflation to middle of target range
US FOMC has less room to respond to recession – Dudley
The US Federal Reserve would not be able to respond to a recession with a cut of the same “magnitude” as experienced in 2007, New York Fed president says; a risk management approach to policy is needed
Demographics could explain entire drop in real rate – Fed paper
Authors find ageing population can explain most – or even all – of the estimated decline in the long-run real interest rate, implying low rates are here to stay
Broadbent defends BoE position amid pension criticism
BoE deputy says ultra-low interest rates are not main culprit behind rising pension deficits, though IMF says pension funds and insurers are at risk from central bank action
Hike now to avoid more action later, says Fed’s Lacker
Richmond Fed president adds his voice to growing number of Fed officials calling for rate hike; Loretta Mester insists proximity to US election need not prevent action at next meeting
RBI’s new MPC cuts rate at first meeting
Debate was “frank, often intense, but always friendly” says governor Urjit Patel, after monetary policy committee votes unanimously for a cut
DRC central bank more than triples rate amid reserves squeeze
Congo central bank raises headline rate five percentage points as foreign reserves continue to dwindle; economy is suffering from copper slump and difficult external environment
Inflation worries prompt action from Bank of Mexico
Central bank hikes interest rate by 50bps in last monetary policy meeting before the US presidential election; peso proves volatile in face of international events
ECB officials and Borio disagree on falling real rates
Vítor Constâncio and François Villeroy de Galhau emphasise importance of saving-investment mismatch, while Claudio Borio stresses financial cycle, but speakers find some points of agreement
Carney: green finance could help reverse long-run rate decline
Bank of England governor says green finance has the potential to send capital where it is most needed, and help advanced economies escape the problem of falling equilibrium interest rates
Bank of Israel moves to eight-meeting policy cycle
Cut in number of meetings reflects stability of economic indicators and will allow for more detailed analysis at each meeting, central bank says, though one member criticises loss of flexibility
Sarb governor fends off political criticism
Central bank would co-operate should inquiry into supervision powers be launched; monetary policy committee leaves rate on hold with the prospect of an end to the hiking cycle nearing
Fed holds but two more dissenters call for hike
Case for hike is building, says Janet Yellen, but economy has “a little longer to run”; two more FOMC members join Esther George in voting for hike
Central Bank of Kenya cuts rates despite new credit legislation
Commercial banks to amend lending rates again following a cut in interest rates; bank launches 50th birthday initiatives including new website
Savers must adjust their plans amid low rates – Poloz
Bank of Canada governor illustrates harsh reality for savers with rates so low, underlining the need for people to put aside more funds or work for longer than anticipated
Andrew Bailey warns of macro impact from pensions trouble
FCA chief says low interest rates and other factors shaping the pensions market are likely to have knock-on effects on the economy, though the area is not well understood
BIS paper examines impact of money market deregulation and integration
Integration of money markets and ability of banks to raise funds using variety of substitutable instruments has implications for monetary policy, paper says; deregulation results in larger open market operations
IMF official criticises interest rate caps in speech honouring Kenyan central bank
Interest rate ceilings can interfere with central bank independence and restrict credit access, IMF deputy managing director tells Kenyan officials
BoE signals further rate cut despite stronger-than-expected data
Package of measures announced in August led to “greater than anticipated boost” to UK asset prices; despite data somewhat stronger than expected a further rate cut is likely, minutes say
Boston Fed’s Rosengren highlights risk of overheating
US economy looks “resilient”, despite some mixed signals from the data, says regional Fed president; advocates process of gradual rate hikes as the risk of an overheating economy grows
PBoC faces the ‘most challenging work of all central banks’ – HKU’s Xiao
The People’s Bank of China needs to meet short-term goals of exchange rate and price stability to achieve longer-term structural and financial reform, says Hong Kong University professor Xiao Geng
Falling natural rates impacted by common global factors – Fed paper
Research by Kathryn Holston, Thomas Laubach and John Williams finds no sign of natural rate decline reversing; advanced economies jointly affected by global factors
ECB delays decision on policy redesign
Mario Draghi says committees will investigate “smooth implementation” of asset purchases, but offers no new policies today; highlights signs of greater willingness for government action