Investment
BoE’s Cunliffe sees liquidity risk in rise of investment funds
Investors have poured money into less liquid instruments at a time when market liquidity has been falling, warns the BoE deputy governor
Thailand eases foreign exchange rules to encourage outflows
Central bank seeks to cool down the baht, one of the fastest-appreciating Asian currencies
BoE’s Brazier flags concerns about ‘stretched’ credit markets
BoE is simulating ‘liquidity mismatch’ in bond markets to ensure financial stability, says executive director; central bank has a ‘duty’ to adapt regulation
Rates on hold after Yellen’s final FOMC meeting
New committee finds unanimity on rate hold, as Janet Yellen prepares to step down
Global custodian of the year: BNY Mellon
The US asset specialist has made strong progress in its effort to offer a seamless overlay of its disparate legacy systems, while also providing improved training to official institutions
Securities lending services provider of the year: Northern Trust
Official institutions praise the Chicago-based firm’s excellent coverage, operational smoothness and good returns
Sovereign bond-backed securities could improve eurozone stability – ESRB
Regulations would need to change and treatment of sovereign bonds would be vital, argues Central Bank of Ireland Governor
HKMA exchange fund clocks 10-year high returns
Returns driven by strong global economy and financial markets; 7.1% figure highest since 2007
Asset manager of the year: BlackRock
BlackRock delivered some innovative new products and a highly regarded training scheme to build on its already strong foundation in reserve management services
Central bankers assess markets’ reactions to policy changes
Benoît Cœuré warns of complacency among investors as central banks move to normalise
China tightens scrutiny of outbound investments
Regulators are looking to restrict and control outbound investments
Nigerian central bank acts without MPC after quorum failure
Emefiele holds monetary policy steady, and hails continued fall in inflation
Bundesbank panellists call for change in German ‘mindset’
Mario Monti says he would like to free Germans from their economic “straightjacket”, while Benoît Cœuré hints at need for rebalancing
BoE’s Tenreyro sees hopeful signs for UK productivity
Many factors dragging on productivity may soon start to fade, MPC member says, though the UK seems to be missing out on a global investment boom
Gontareva accused of complicity in money laundering
Ex-governor denies she improperly helped former president Yanukovych
Sri Lankan central bank launches sweeping reforms in wake of bond scandal
Central bank tightens controls on debt management and pension fund trading after investigation uncovers malpractice
NBIM eyes private equity investment in potential shake-up
Letter to finance ministry says the fund’s structure and goals make unlisted equities a wise investment, but acknowledges a 4% cap would be sensible
IMF’s Obstfeld: effects of accommodative policy remain unclear
The IMF chief economist weighs up the productivity puzzle and whether monetary policy helped or hindered growth following the financial crisis
Bank of England operations could leave London under Labour government
Report envisages BoE’s regional offices becoming part of national investment strategy; inflation mandate could also be changed
Norway’s sovereign fund acquires its first Asian real estate
Norges Bank recommended in November the fund should abandon equity investments in oil and natural gas
Diversified export markets may offset Mexican Nafta showdown
Bank of Mexico sees a failure to renegotiate the trade deal as the biggest risk to the economy
Confidence key for South Africa’s economic recovery – Kganyago
Consumer confidence has been “sapped”, but governor remains optimistic nation can “turn things around” by implementing investor-friendly policies
Big data in central banks: 2017 survey
As an active area for new projects, big data is becoming a fixture in policymaking, with an increasing number of central banks carving out a budget for data handling, writes Emma Glass.