Interest rates
Bank of Ghana slashes further 100bp from policy rate
Action follows similar move in 2018, as inflation declines into the target range
Central bank gold purchases soar to highest level since 1971
Russia, Turkey and Kazakhstan accumulated the most gold in 2018
Fed takes dovish stance as it clarifies long-run monetary policy
New statement seeks to clarify Fed’s balance sheet normalisation strategy
Riksbank open to reassessing normalisation if needed – af Jochnick
Sweden’s central bank increased rates in December 2018 for the first time since 2011
ECB to launch market expectations survey
Study aims to gather information on participants' views on future monetary policy evolution
Bangladesh Bank eyes national savings imbalances
Growth is high and inflation “contained”, but high-yield products are draining deposits from banks
Central bank comms affect long-run uncertainty – BoE paper
BoE’s inflation report has effects on long-run bond yields, paper finds
Website of the year: Sveriges Riksbank
The Swedish central bank has redesigned and restructured its website to great effect, with users staying longer and engaging with more content
Norges Bank leaves rates unchanged
Central bank says it is still likely to hike rates in March 2019
Only Fed could respond to fresh downturn, Axel Weber says
Most central banks have no room for manoeuvre, says former Bundesbank president
Riksbank’s normalisation faces darker global outlook
Looser stance in the US and eurozone may hamper new hikes in Sweden
Korea’s sluggish economy dampens growth prospects
Bank of Korea revises growth forecasts and leaves interest rates on hold
BoJ cuts inflation forecast in fourth consecutive outlook report
Central bank maintains interest rates and yield curve control
Argentina resumes forex interventions as peso rises
Central bank bought dollars in January to depreciate peso and keep it within non-intervention zone
Riksbank’s negative rates successfully passed through to economy – research
Findings contrast with recent work by Larry Summers and co-authors
Reserve manager of the year: Bank of Mexico
The Latin American central bank has adopted a forward-looking asset allocation strategy as well as embracing absolute return approaches
Global markets award: HSBC
HSBC’s global reach and expertise in emerging Asian markets has helped its long-term central bank clients develop more sophisticated reserve management strategies and move into new markets
Innovation in reserve management: BNP Paribas Asset Management
The asset manager developed new fixed income investment strategies in 2018 that have delivered strong returns and diversification for clients, while also offering practical training support
Summers and co-authors find negative rates can be contractionary
Policy rate cuts below zero can lead to higher lending rates by commercial banks, authors find
Indonesia keeps rates unchanged
Governor signals benchmark rate is “almost at its peak”
Central bank’s headline inflation projections improve significantly
Central bank’s headline inflation projections improve significantly over near term, but inflation still forecast to climb to 5.3%
Low US unemployment unlikely to foster sudden wage growth – research
Fed projections see unemployment rate falling to 3.5% by the end of 2019
French governor warns of the perils of ‘impatience’
Central banks should maintain a longer term view, even in the face of volatility and government pressure
Federal Reserve profits fall as normalisation takes hold
The Fed remittances to US Treasury fell by 18.5% from last year