Exchange rate
Central banks follow Fed with rate hikes
Several central banks have raised their policy rates in response to the Federal Reserve hike
Uzbekistan central bank orders 300bp rate increase
Board refers to “high uncertainties and tensions in the external economic environment”
Governor of the year: Mario Marcel
Chile’s governor has expertly navigated a third currency crisis in two years, amid wider EM stress and political volatility, while bolstering the central bank’s capabilities
Kuwait’s government names new central bank governor
Basel Al-Haroun will begin five-year term on April 1
Turkey holds rates again despite soaring inflation
MPC says that it aims to carry out “liraisation” of monetary policy as inflation reaches 54%
Riksbank’s pandemic QE eased financing conditions, says research
Swedish central bank’s purchases boosted equities, depreciated krona and cut bond yields
Sudan floats currency
Decision follows adoption of single unified exchange rate
Digital money and central banks
Central banks must reflect on the monetary policy, regulatory and financial stability implications from crypto assets, stablecoins and CBDCs to stay relevant in the digital age of money
Polish central bank hikes main rate as it battles zloty weakness
Currency has fallen sharply since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, adding to fears over high inflation
IMF urges Peru to tighten monetary policy
Fund also says FX intervention may be needed short term
SNB profits rise to $28.5 billion
Central bank reaffirms pledge to halt appreciation of the franc
Ukrainian central bank says lenders and payments remain stable
Shevchenko warns over foreign currency pricing as Russia increases reinsurance capital
Kyrgyz central bank raises rates 150 basis points
Central bank cites “geopolitical risks”, though high inflation was problem long before war
Emerging economies ‘remarkably’ resilient to Fed tightening, BIS says
Many EME currencies have appreciated, but Turkish lira and Russian ruble are notable exceptions
Bank of Jamaica launches ‘stronger actions’ against inflation
Central bank accelerates monetary tightening as inflation nears 10%
Diego Labat on policy normalisation, capital flows and tech challenges
The Central Bank of Uruguay governor speaks with Christopher Jeffery and Ben Margulies about governance, financialisation, flexible rates versus capital controls, payment upgrades and CBDCs
Chilean central bank joins regional foreign reserves network
Membership of Flar is latest measure to boost access to funds after 2019 exchange rate crisis
Book notes: Imagining the Fed, by Nicolas Thompson
A worthwhile perspective on the evolution of such an important institution, but a shame that it isn’t a longer and broader examination
Turkish central bank holds main rate despite high inflation
Committee says it expects inflation trend to reverse soon, as headline figure nears 50%
Namibia marks first rate hike in six years
Central bank acts to “safeguard” link to South African rand
Bank of Israel should be ready to tighten policy, says IMF
Fund warns inflation pressures are building, and says BoI should abandon FX purchases
Picking up the pieces: how to tackle the next phase of the Covid crisis
The global economy is heading into dangerous territory, writes Jagjit Chadha. Central banks must honour their commitments to price stability
IMF signs off on Pakistan aid despite ‘exceptionally high’ risks
Central bank reserves are low and fiscal spending breached limits, but recovery is proving strong
Lesotho raises rates and increases reserves
Central bank increases policy rate 25bp in bid to defend peg and fight inflation