Regulation
Fewer central banks report climate strategy
Incineration still most common practice among institutions recycling banknotes
Most central banks plan no new banknotes in near future
Fewer than a quarter of banks plan new notes in next five years
Independence white paper outlines possible Scottish central bank
Proposals map out “the process of establishing a Scottish pound”
People: Kuwait appoints first woman deputy governor
New deputies in Sri Lanka, Ireland and Zimbabwe; Turkish MPC member dies; and more
Hsu says US needs proper regulation of bank-fintech alliances
Policy-makers focus too much on crypto, says comptroller
World has ‘very little space’ for policy, says Georgieva
Carney, Georgieva, Donohoe and El-Erian agree room is limited and mistakes are punished harshly
BoE sticks to bond-buying deadline amid strains on UK non-banks
Bailey restates cut-off date for asset purchases despite spike in margin calls and redemptions
ECB paper looks at Covid-19 emergency supervisory measures
Relaxation of CET1 requirements positively affected lending, but change to Pillar 2 guidance did not
Share of reserve managers investing in green and social bonds declines
Share of portfolios allocated to these assets grow modestly
Russia’s Mir forced into retreat
Banks and payment systems across Asia banish Russian cards after US warnings
Average central bank equity allocations at 11.9%
Despite higher volatility, high income central banks increase their investments in equities
Asset diversification and staff training main goals for external contracts
All non-high income central banks aim to offer training to staff, high income jurisdictions focused on diversification and market intelligence
Most central banks expect sanctions on Russia to have a long-term effect
Trend is weaker in Europe than in the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa
Over 90% of central banks trim duration as protection against inflation
Fewer institutions increased US Treasuries (18.75%), reduced exposure to unconventional assets (6.25%)
Central banks’ coverage ratio drops by 23%
Reserves buffers to cover monthly imports decline to 6.9 months
Rate rises reveal defi weaknesses – Powell
Regulating algorithms highlighted as key crypto challenge at Banque de France conference
Staff salaries at reserves departments increased 17.6% from last year
Total staff numbers declined by 10% to 27
More central banks expand existing liquidity swap lines
More than 23% of participating countries gained access to IMF facilities over past year
Book notes: 21st century monetary policy, by Ben S Bernanke
Bernanke’s great book offers important insights for today’s policy-makers, writes Stephen Poloz
Share of central banks screening ESG risks declines slightly
Central banks in Europe in top slot for including ESG criteria on their benchmarks
Central banks divided on how Russia sanctions will hit reserve currencies
Non-European central banks more likely to expect a growing role for renminbi in reserves portfolios
Most central banks will not alter diversification due to high inflation
Over 63% of central banks do not plan changes, almost 27% are discussing modifications, and close to 10% have already implemented them or plan to do it
Boards remain key body in benchmarking approval
In almost 60% of central banks the board makes final decision, investment committee in 29%
More central banks engage in gold lending and swaps
Securities lending is more common among central banks from high income jurisdictions