Countries victims of ‘ninja’ loans, Central bank digital currencies report

Commentary: Countries victims of ‘ninja’ loans

By Herbert Poenisch in Beijing

Countries need infrastructure in much the same way that US families needed houses before the 2008 financial crisis. The ‘American dream’ was to provide everyone with their own home. Similarly, poorer countries dream of infrastructure, to propel them to prosperity. People in the US bought houses through ‘no income, no jobs, no assets’ (‘ninja’) loans, unsure of how to reimburse their bank. Countries are doing the same...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/27/countries-victims-of-ninja-loans-central-bank-digital-currencies-report/

Merkel can help Christian Democrats, OMFIF-IBM digital currencies report

Commentary: Merkel can help Christian Democrats

By Michael Stürmer and David Marsh in Berlin

German Chancellor Angela Merkel bequeaths a political legacy that leaves leadership of Europe’s most powerful economy in less than wholly secure hands. The result of her manoeuvring is a country with seven major political parties competing in parliament. Those bidding for Merkel’s job will need to keep an eye on a possible revival of the earlier-considered four-party coalition. By choosing to bow out...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/08/merkel-can-help-christian-democrats-omfif-ibm-digital-currencies-report/

Decision time for US deficit, OMFIF-IBM Central bank digital currency report

Commentary: Decision time for US deficit

By Seema Shah in London

US President Donald Trump must choose between a larger budget deficit or a smaller trade deficit. The US has so far managed to run up its debt without alarming the markets, thanks to the dollar’s unchallenged role as the world’s primary reserve currency.

However, there are concerns the economy is starting to overheat. In the wake of stronger than expected employment data and non-manufacturing sector activity, 10-year Treasury...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/10/29/decision-time-for-us-deficit-omfif-ibm-central-bank-digital-currency-report/