Sweden
Riksbank flags concerns over pace of development in payments
Tech development proceeding ‘too rapidly’, says central bank; evolution of payments could jeopardise access
Securitisation can dampen business cycles, paper finds
When securities are bought by ‘non-financial agents’ instead of financial intermediaries, they can help dampen rather than amplify cycles, research says
Riksbank minutes reveal knife-edge decision to cut
Cecilia Skingsley says decision was hardest since her appointment to the board; strong economy, weak inflation and unconventional policy make for tricky task
Riksbank cuts to new low, despite signs of overheating
Central bank pushes policy rate 15bp deeper into negative territory even as economy moves close to full capacity; board responding partly to policy easing abroad
Riksbank pushes for FSA to gain stronger tools amid delays
Amortisation requirement looks set to enter force in June, but more powerful tools for Swedish FSA may be delayed; government says negotiations take time, and it fears triggering crisis
Independent review calls for major changes at Riksbank
Riksbank criticised for reliance on models, board members’ quarrels and ‘surreal’ monetary guidance, though King and Goodfriend say it is ‘clearly a success’ compared with past regimes
Riksbank minutes reveal debate over monetary framework
Board members welcome debate over target variable and possible reinstatement of tolerance band, but af Jochnick warns changes should not be made simply because of recent failures to hit target
Riksbank prepared to ‘instantly intervene’ in krona
Executive board hands governor and first deputy the power to determine interventions to hold down the value of the krona, at unscheduled monetary policy meeting
Rising Swedish bank wages do not reflect rising talent, Riksbank paper finds
Researchers exploit large database of worker skills to assess why Swedish bank wages have risen so sharply in recent years, finding it is not because bankers have become relatively more talented
Modern central banks need big data strategy, Riksbank economists say
Central banks need to adapt to growing data volumes, but the organisational changes required could help departments work together more closely, economists say
Riksbank deputy open to scrapping CPI as target variable
Quirks of Swedish CPI make it awkward for use as the monetary policy target variable, Per Jansson says; bringing back tolerance band also a possibility
Riksbank steps up debt warnings in stability report
An absence of measures to address high asset prices and rising debt could result in a ‘serious’ shock with ‘great’ consequences for the economy, Swedish central bank warns
Sweden faces ‘economic crisis’ unless government calms housing market, governor warns
Sweden’s government needs to take urgent action to calm rapidly rising house prices or face a possible economic crisis, Stefan Ingves warns; attacks lack of clarity over macro-prudential policy
Riksbank paper examines mixed forecast performance
Researchers find the central bank has tended to be overly optimistic on foreign economic performance, but makes similar errors to other institutions
Riksbank attacks government's amortisation proposals
Sweden’s central bank strongly criticises aspects of government proposals to cool the housing market; says measures threaten the independence of Swedish macroprudential regulator
Riksbank unleashes further easing
Central bank hopes extended asset purchase programme and commitment to keep rates lower for even longer will help reinforce a gradual upward trend in growth and inflation
Riksbank floats new collateral limits
Swedish central bank looks to limit the amount of covered bonds pledged as collateral for intraday credit; assessment suggests limited impact on banks
Swedish economists add voices to criticism of leaning against the wind
Current and former Riksbank deputy governors Martin Flodén and Lars Svensson warn against the large rate hikes necessary to address financial stability concerns
Sveriges Riksbank strikes $500 million swap deal with National Bank of Ukraine
Sweden’s central bank could sell up to $500 million over the next six months under the agreement, despite one deputy governor objecting to its acceptance of the responsibility
Riksbank is working on ‘big data’, says Skingsley
Deputy governor speaks to Central Banking about bringing together experts on big data, the possibility of leaning against the wind, risks in the housing market and more
Negative rates working as planned, says Riksbank’s Cecilia Skingsley
Transmission of negative rates is working well and there is room to ease further, deputy governor says, despite the possibility of unwanted side effects; changing inflation target a ‘bad idea’
Swedish regulators press government for clearer powers
Heads of Riksbank, FSA and National Debt Office call for government to speed up implementation of new legislation on macro-prudential powers, but minister says it could take until next year
Swedish deputy wants macro-pru tools for non-banks
Policy-makers must develop new macro-prudential tools for addressing risk in the non-banking sector, warns Sveriges Riksbank’s Cecilia Skingsley
Riksbank launches app as drive to publicise new notes and coins accelerates
Central bank’s first smartphone app helps public identify counterfeit banknotes and features voice-over by Stefan Ingves; part of communications push ahead of new banknote and coin series