Latin America
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
The Belt and Road Initiative 2020 Survey – A more sustainable road to growth?
The third annual Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) survey reveals that central banks view BRI investment as sustainable compared with other forms of external debt, particularly given it is often proportionally less significant. Despite growing global trade…
Uruguay appoints interim central bank president
Labat takes over from Graña following retirement announcement
Book notes: The art of economic catch-up, by Keun Lee
Rather than merely catch-up, the book offers countries advice in making a sea change in their economic statuses
Latin America must prepare for rapid ageing – Bank of Spain paper
Pensions spending set to rise sharply as potential growth falls, researchers warn
Website of the year: Central Bank of Brazil
The new bilingual site offers enhanced communications to the full range of stakeholders
Central Bank of Suriname governor resigns amid scandals
Robert van Trikt leaves bank as allegations are raised over his conduct
Payments and market infrastructure development: European Central Bank
The ECB has created a framework to help payments and market infrastructure firms bolster cyber defence that is being disseminated on a global scale