Oil
Iraqi prime minister changes central bank governor
New governor pledges banking reform as finance minister warns country needs economic change
Norwegian SWF head sells holdings in bid to end dispute
Nicolai Tangen and central bank try to halt major controversy over possible conflict of interests
Iranian central bank pledges oil-based bond issue
Central bank makes large foreign exchange intervention as currency comes under pressure
Headline inflation to stray into negative territory, Bank of Thailand reports
Sharp decline in oil prices and government measures push forecast for headline inflation to -1.7%
Covid-19 and oil: a tale of three countries
Oil-dependent nations are facing a crisis on two fronts. Central banks must now strike a balance between keeping inflation in check and restoring growth
Iran’s race towards monetary policy reform faces high hurdle reality
The Majlis Research Center’s Tohid Atashbar says positive outcomes from the Iranian central bank’s fast-tracking of monetary policy reform – made in response to Covid-19 and US sanctions – may prove difficult to deliver
US disinflation accelerated in April
Core inflation sees steepest drop since the 9/11 attacks
Nigeria slashes rates by 100bp
Central bank thinks stimulus package can still prevent the economy from entering recession
Norges Bank signs working agreement with Nicolai Tangen
Tangen’s appointment as SWF chief had been questioned due to his relationship with his predecessor
Iranian central bank announces takeover of militia-owned banks
Five banks owned by Revolutionary Guards to be taken over by country’s largest lender
Debts, deficits, central banks and inflation
Forrest Capie and Geoffrey Wood ask what insights history can provide for central banks and governments managing abrupt, large increases in debt
Fed expands main street lending plans
Central bank faces criticism for appearing to respond to oil and gas lobbying
Colombia reduces rates as economy faces sharp recession
Central bank reduces rate by 50 basis points to 3.25%, GDP expected to fall by 10% in Q2
Nigeria gets $3.4 billion IMF support
IMF calls for more donor support but warns over possible misuse of aid
Bank of Russia cuts policy rate as oil and pandemic crises deepen
Elvira Nabiullina says central bank may cut again as it forecasts major recession in 2020
Norges Bank supervisory council requests information on SWF’s new head
Executive asked to answer questions on hiring process amid ongoing expenses scandal
Uzbekistan central bank cuts rates by 100bp
Emergency meeting loosens policy in response to pandemic and energy price fall
Crises enliven ‘totalitarian temptations’
The coronavirus pandemic will embolden governments and bodies such as the International Monetary Fund to grasp for more power, writes Steve Hanke
World Bank says sub-Saharan Africa destined for first recession in 25 years
Growth could fall as low as -5.1% as largest economies struggle with Covid-19 repercussions
Norges Bank slashes rates to record low of 0.25%
Central bank says workers are being laid off, as Norway faces double shock from virus and oil
Norges Bank sharply increases foreign exchange sales
Central bank converts oil revenues into krone to finance government’s coronavirus response
Nigerian central bank announces emergency measures
CBN will fund healthcare expansion and guarantee loans, and says currency will not be devalued
Norges Bank cuts rates 50bp in emergency meeting
Central bank offers extraordinary three-month loans to banks and calls on government to reduce countercyclical buffer
Lagarde seems to stumble as ECB announces coronavirus response
ECB announces more QE, expanded financing and loosening of banks’ capital and liquidity buffers