Latin America & Caribbean
People: Sam Woods reappointed; Fernanda Nechio returns to SF Fed
BoE deputy gets fresh term; Nechio to lead regional Fed’s sustainability research; and more
Governance Benchmarks 2021 report – the frameworks that rule central banks
How are central banks governed? Benchmarking data offers insights on appointments, legal structures, powers, decision-making bodies, independence and more
The Belt and Road Initiative 2021 Survey – The impact of Covid‑19 on the BRI
The fourth annual Belt and Road Initiative survey reveals that the Covid‑19 pandemic has disrupted many projects despite China remaining committed to financing the initiative, which is expected to support future economic growth and environmental…
Cash infrastructure as public good – implications for the cash cycle
Efforts are under way in the Eurosystem to safeguard cash infrastructure as a ‘public good’ even as transaction volumes have fallen significantly. How can policy-makers strike the right balance?
Peru’s central bank caps consumer interest under protest
Central bank governor and president say new law will damage the economy
IMF staff suggest changes to Paraguyan supervision
Report calls for new pension fund supervisor and better supervision of non-banks
Latin American economies threatened by pandemic resurgence – IMF
Western hemisphere chief warns recovery is uneven and under threat
IMF provides $2.7 billion ‘precautionary’ support to Panama
Liquidity line will act as “insurance” for Panamanian authorities grappling with Covid, IMF says
IMF’s Georgieva highlights pandemic impact in Latin America
GDP contraction is forecast to be 8% of GDP in 2020, double the level for the global economy
Bank of Mexico sounds alarm over draft law
Central bank says law could damage its independence and create money-laundering risk
Brazil central bank could ‘test’ lower rates if inflation remains weak – IMF
IMF staff see “no constraint” to lower rates as long as forward guidance is deployed
Central banks face fintech ‘balancing act’ in Latin America – BIS paper
Region needs right institutional framework to benefit from rapid rise of fintech, authors say
People: Norwegian SWF official moves to central bank
Jamaica appoints new deputy governor, while Swedish deputy governor has term extended
Belize’s central bank must improve cyber regulation – IMF staff
IMF staff warns central bank must upgrade physical resilience in face of hurricane threat
Action needed to avert Latin American banking crisis – report
Emergency measures may mask growing solvency problems, institutions warn
Brazil launches new 200 real banknote as hoarding continues
New banknote worth $37 features new security features, and has been sized to ensure quick dispersal
Covid-19: a watershed moment for China’s BRI?
China faces a delicate balancing act when it comes to forgiving and restructuring Belt and Road Initiative debt while preserving the soundness of its financial institutions
Costa Rica to issue first polymer banknotes
Central bank will retain size and colour of existing notes to smooth transition to new substrate
Paraguay cuts rates to 0.75%
Economic activity declined significantly in April, central bank reports
Trends in reserve management: 2020 survey results
Covid-19 expected to dent the risk appetite of central bank portfolio managers; socially responsible investing gains ground
Campos Neto on reforming Brazil’s economy amid Covid-19 distress
The Central Bank of Brazil governor speaks about how Brazil is managing fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the benefit of large reserves, his plans to deploy emergency asset purchases and why he favours extending the IMF’s SDR funding
Banxico forecasts Mexican economy could fall by 8.8% in 2020
Central bank stresses the profound uncertainty to which the economy is subject
The IFF China Report 2020: Regional and multilateral co-operation
The Belt and Road Initiative has expanded to corners of the globe never thought possible; investment in Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean has strengthened free trade and fostered positive development. But there is still work to be done to ensure a…
Argentina’s central bank takes part in blockchain clearing pilot
Test system will use smart contracts with timestamping from the bitcoin blockchain