OMFIF Analysis

ECB needs to increase transparency as it tackles euro area problems

Thursday 17 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.11.4

Commentary: How the ECB can improve its communications

By Moritz Kraemer in Stuttgart

As the European Central Bank approaches its first significant monetary tightening since 2011, President Christine Lagarde faces a threat of cacophony among the voices making up the 25-member governing council. This endangers the cohesion and the credibility of the central bank as it confronts the economic and political repercussions of the war in Ukraine, including higher...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/17/ecb-needs-to-increase-transparency-as-it-tackles-euro-area-problems/

China favours pragmatism over Russia as it seeks to rebalance economy

Wednesday 16 March 2022Vol.13 Ed.11.3

Commentary: China will put its own interests first in relationship with Russia

By OMFIF editors

China is unlikely to deepen further its strategic alliance with Russia as the result of the war in Ukraine, for fear of suffering removal from the rewards of globalisation. At the same time, China and other countries will be looking closely at the repercussions of the western asset freeze against Russian state interests. This may encourage some countries to move...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/16/china-favours-pragmatism-over-russia-as-it-seeks-to-rebalance-economy/

Digital money and finance benefits depend on widely accepted standards

Tuesday 15 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.11.2

Commentary: CBDC standards needed for wide-spread adoption

By Koji Fusa in Oxford

Clarity on central bank digital currency technical standards is gradually emerging and consensus is building. But there are some important preconditions in policy-maker reasoning that should be met if thinking around CBDC is to evolve. Work is also required to ensure that, as new systems are developed, they are designed from the start to be interoperable. ISO/IEC 24643,...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/15/digital-money-and-finance-benefits-depend-on-widely-accepted-standards/

Ukraine conflict may shift central bank portfolios away from Europe

Ukraine conflict may shift central bank portfolios away from Europe

Monday 14 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.11.1

Commentary: Crisis may push European central banks to favour US reserves

By Julian Jacobs in London

Recent developments in the Russo-Ukrainian war are spurring a review of priorities among central banks. Amid the humanitarian crisis and accompanying sanctions on Russia, reserves managers are not only reconsidering their growth outlook and inflation expectations, they are also reconsidering...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/14/ukraine-conflict-may-shift-central-bank-portfolios-away-from-europe/

The Bulletin, March 2022: Inflation: supply- or demand-led?

The Bulletin, March 2022: Inflation: supply- or demand-led?

THE WEEKEND REVIEW Latest opinion and analysis from OMFIF around the world

7 – 11 March 2022, Vol.13 Ed.10

The Bulletin, March 2022

Inflation: supply- or demand-led? This edition of the Bulletin grapples with the global and insistent issue of inflation. It delves into the various causes of the current bout of inflation, including supply chain issues and soaring energy prices. Akhilesh Tilotia, principal of the National Investment and...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/12/the-bulletin-march-2022-inflation-supply-or-demand-led/

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine compels central banks and G7 to take action

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine compels central banks and G7 to take action

Thursday 10 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.10.4

Commentary: Ukraine conflict cripples G20 but unifies G7

By Mark Sobel in Washington

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine crystallises key shifts underway in global governance. Among others, it will cripple the G20 and elevate the G7. To the extent there is a now an East/West split, the new East consists of Russia with half-hearted Chinese backing. With fissures torn open between the West and...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/10/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-compels-central-banks-and-g7-to-take-action/

Three major consequences of the Ukraine conflict

Three major consequences of the Ukraine conflict

Wednesday 9 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.10.3

Commentary: Reserves freeze sends shivers through Moscow

By Shahin Vallée in Berlin

Europe’s reluctance to agree Swift-based sanctions free from exclusions has brought a far stronger policy response: freezing the assets of Russia’s central bank. The private financial system is therefore not fully isolated from the global payments system allowing at least energy-related transactions to be settled, but the...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/09/three-major-consequences-of-the-ukraine-conflict/

Central America pushes sustainability as banks contemplate climate risks

Central America pushes sustainability as banks contemplate climate risks

Monday 7 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.10.1

Commentary: Central America aims to become leader in sustainability

By Natalia Ospina in London

Central America’s above-average recovery in 2021 and the positive outlook for the coming years demonstrate the region’s resilience to shocks and its potential for development. In February, trade experts and private investors joined CABEI and OMFIF to discuss Central America’s competitive...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/07/central-america-pushes-sustainability-as-banks-contemplate-climate-risks/

End of the illusion, Financial markets need stimulus to stay on, and more

End of the illusion, Financial markets need stimulus to stay on, and more

THE WEEKEND REVIEW Latest opinion and analysis from OMFIF around the world

28 February – 4 March 2022, Vol.13 Ed.9

Most-read Commentary

End of the illusion: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings down the curtain on the Europe spawned by the Maastricht treaty 30 years ago. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression gravely weakens the post-cold war European consensus in three crucial spheres – energy, security and money. By...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/05/end-of-the-illusion-financial-markets-need-stimulus-to-stay-on-and-more/

Triple tightening blow threatens reflation; Asia’s borrowing outlook

Triple tightening blow threatens reflation; Asia’s borrowing outlook

Friday 4 March 2022 – Vol.13 Ed.9.5

Commentary: Financial markets need stimulus to stay on

By Neil Williams in London

A triple blow of policy tightening will test the two-year-old ‘reflation trade’ put on by many asset managers. Yet, by exacerbating stagflation and jittery stock markets, central banks and governments will hold back from reaching anything close to historical monetary and fiscal policy norms. Policy-makers are...

https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/03/04/triple-tightening-blow-threatens-reflation-asias-borrowing-outlook/

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