South Africa
Sarb governor underlines bank’s operational independence
The government cannot ‘dictate’ interest rate policy, governor Kganyago says, emphasising the South African Reserve Bank can implement ‘appropriate policy’ without political interference
Rand volatility not driven by South African economic ‘surprises’ – IMF paper
IMF working paper finds that surprises in commodity prices, domestic politics and US economics impact the volatility of the South African rand rather than economic surprises in South Africa or China
Sarb establishes anonymous whistleblowing hotline
New external hotline provides facility for the public to report misconduct to the central bank
Factors behind weak growth in advanced economies do not apply to South Africa – Sarb deputy
Mminele says 2008 recession did not create savings glut in South Africa, suggesting other factors such as a shortage of skills are responsible
Sarb governor fends off political criticism
Central bank would co-operate should inquiry into supervision powers be launched; monetary policy committee leaves rate on hold with the prospect of an end to the hiking cycle nearing
Kganyago justifies Sarb’s response to ‘troubling mix’ of issues
Sarb governor says the public should be “satisfied” but not “happy” with the current economic outlook, given that monetary policy has only offset some of the problems causing high inflation
Bundesbank places first representative in Africa
South Africa is “fertile ground” for investment, says Andreas Dombret; Jenny Kilp to be placed in Pretoria to help foster projects between Sarb and Bundesbank
Sarb governor stresses need for cooperative approach against cyber risk
New legislation will give central bank power over financial stability; now is the time for financial industry to become “proactive” in fostering “healthier” cyber culture, says Kganyago
Explicit communication from Sarb helped agents predict rate hikes – paper
Authors compare forecasts from 2013 and 2014 to identify whether specific terminology affected forecasting; “rising cycle” talk shaped expectations, paper shows
Sarb mulling changes to cash distribution process
South African Reserve Bank review finds ‘inefficiencies’ in current framework; changes could include alterations to the bank’s ‘branch footprint’ and supply chain
Sarb fines five banks for weaknesses in ‘control measures’
Investec Bank fined largest amount at 20 million rand; local branch of Standard Chartered faces 10 million rand penalty a month after another branch was reprimanded by MAS
Sarb review calls for changes to payment frameworks
An enforcement committee is to be created in the next six months as part of Sarb’s payment system review; the report identifies a number of “inadequacies” with current framework
Sarb to embark on ‘customised’ leadership development, deputy says
Mminele emphasises importance of leadership in addressing economic challenges; central bank to launch new leadership development programme ‘customised’ for each management level
IMF’s Lipton argues for greater economic inclusion in South Africa
David Lipton urges reforms to remedy the fact that one-third of the working population is “effectively excluded” from the economy; suggests policies to build confidence and lift growth
Slowdown in Brics increasingly down to domestic factors – Mminele
Sarb deputy says structural reform needed to foster global growth; sees role of domestic factors affecting Brics growth increasing since 2013
Sarb faces tough job amid ‘sobering’ outlook, IMF warns
Capital flows, sovereign rating and financial sector health form dangerous links, fund says, though South African authorities stress they have made preparations
Swift paper warns not to transplant Kenya’s inclusion strategy
Harvard Kennedy School lecturer explores the factors behind M-Pesa’s success in Kenya, and warns against simply copying the country’s approach to inclusion elsewhere
Namibian central bank wary of household debt increase
Namibia has higher household debt levels than regional peers, according to some measures, the central bank’s latest financial stability report notes
Sarb reserve management policy sheds light on tranches
South African Reserve Bank publishes investment policy governing allocation of FX and gold; splits reserves into range of tranches and sub-tranches
Sarb hikes rate despite split decision on MPC
Monetary policy committee decides to raise key rate by 25bp after an initial 3:3 split; concerns over inflation remain for some members
South Africa continues to make progress in market conduct regulation, deputy governor says
Sarb in communication with regulators about revised code of conduct; next stage to be completed in ‘coming months’
Sarb seeks release of banknotes from detained plane
The South African Reserve Bank confirms an aircraft carrying a consignment of banknotes has been detained in Zimbabwe, after the discovery of a dead body
GDP lag overcome with nowcasting, Sarb paper says
Nowcasting will assist policy-makers understand path of real economic activity, authors say, finding model outperforms others significantly
Sarb deputy governor sees growing inflation risks ahead of MPC meeting
South African Reserve Bank policy-makers must assess ‘very carefully’ whether its stance remains appropriate, Mminele says; MPC meets January 21