Central banks
New governor signs revised policy target agreement in New Zealand
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s policy targets agreement will come into effect on the same day Graeme Wheeler takes over as governor; document includes "stronger focus" on financial stability
Central banks turn to RMB assets
The international brigade
Central banks launch joint investigation into Libor scandal
Economic Consultative Committee announces examination of reference rates used in financial markets
Debt mutualisation: Lessons from the US
Debt mutualisation lessons from the US
In favour of macro-prudential regulation
In favour of macro-prudential regulation
Lack of governance to blame for Libor scandal, says IMF official
A failure of bank governance is behind the recent Libor rate-fixing scandal – and these kinds of failings could pose systemic risks, says José Viñals
BIS calls for European banking union and urgent fiscal reform in developed nations
Urgent fiscal reform and genuine efforts to create a banking union in Europe are vital to breaking the viscous linkage between banking and sovereign stress, says BIS
HFT adds value to the forex market, says Bank of England
The effects of high-frequency trading activity should continue to be monitored, but the practice adds value to the forex market, argues a senior Bank of England official
Haldane says macro-prudential tools needed to prevent earnings 'arms race'
Bank of England's Andrew Haldane describes the tools macro-prudential policy-makers need to prevent future crises
BoE's Tucker: FPC capital powers 'won't be popular'
Attendees at ACT conference raise concerns about increased lending costs after Bank of England’s Tucker argues for powers to raise sectoral capital levels
Bank of Korea to invest in renminbi in 2012
Head of reserve management Heung Sik Choo confirms Bank of Korea will make first investments in Chinese renminbi this year
Currency floor breach raises questions over SNB policy
The Swiss National Bank should consider enlisting the help of top-tier banks to keep EUR/CHF above 1.20, forex traders suggest
Guidance on central bank risk management is needed, says BoE’s Fisher
The Bank for International Settlements should provide guidance on best practice for central bank risk management, says the Bank of England’s Paul Fisher
Euro crisis could cause full EU break-up, warns ex-BoE official
John Gieve, former deputy governor for financial stability at the Bank of England, warns of an "explosion" waiting to happen in the EU
IMF looks to strengthen Asian ties to combat global economic crisis
The IMF is looking to work with Asian countries to lessen the impact of the global crisis on the region, says David Lipton, IMF first deputy managing director
Dealers call for ECB to buy inflation bonds as Italy faces exit from key index
Further downgrades for Italy would cause its inflation-linked bonds to drop out of a Barclays Capital index, prompting mass selling by fund managers, dealers fear
OECD debt offices call for derivatives collateral debate
New report calls for debt offices to weigh the pros and cons of two-way collateral and clearing
Axa IM fixed-income head says euro collapse more inflationary than ECB printing euros
It is difficult to foresee borrowing costs for Italian, Spanish or other troubled debt falling permanently with "anything other than the ECB being used as a lender of the last resort", says Chris Iggo
Banque de France outsources collateral management
French central bank agrees collateral management deal with Euroclear France; entire French banking community will use new system next year
Greek reversion to drachma easier than euro conversion, say analysts
If Greece were to leave the eurozone it would have to establish a new currency in record time; analysts explain how the process would be simpler today due to technological advances
Italy reaches crisis point as bond yields soar
Announcement that Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi will resign does little to calm markets; bond yields hit euro area record high, raising the stakes for a potential default
Risk USA: US regulators “scared to death” by eurozone debt crisis
The sovereign debt crisis is a concern, but direct US bank exposure is manageable, says senior OCC official