May deal faces near-impossible hurdles, In conversation with Caroline Atkinson

British PM Theresa May

Commentary: May deal faces near-impossible hurdles

By Joergen Oerstroem Moeller in Singapore

Prime Minister Theresa May would almost certainly try to counter a rejection of her Brexit deal in the UK parliament by returning with an amended version to avoid the more dramatic alternatives. To stand any chance of success, an amended deal must overcome two hurdles. First, May must keep her cabinet united – which seems unlikely to happen. Second, the EU must be forthcoming in...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/28/may-deal-faces-near-impossible-hurdles-in-conversation-with-caroline-atkinson/

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/

Balancing the roles of the ECB, China and the US: Adapting to a changing relationship, The future of EU financial services after Brexit

Balancing the roles of the ECB
Monday 10 December, 12:15
London

A discussion with Ignazio Angeloni, member of the supervisory board at the European Central Bank. The meeting will focus on how the ECB balances its roles of monitoring the euro area’s banking sector whilst stimulating banks to lend more.

Topics include the assessing the condition of the banking sector, reduction of the level of non-performing loans, improvements in banks’ balance sheets and setting the right macroprudential...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/27/balancing-the-roles-of-the-ecb-china-and-the-us-adapting-to-a-changing-relationship-the-future-of-eu-financial-services-after-brexit/

Cheer up – it’s the best UK can do, Outlook for reserve asset management

United Kingdom’s PM Theresa May

Commentary: Cheer up, it’s the best UK can do

By Meghnad Desai in London

Theresa May is safe from a leadership challenge through her rebellious but so far irresolute backbenchers. Just as the challenge to the prime minister in the 1922 Committee has not happened – and I doubt it will happen –  the European Union withdrawal deal will be approved by the House of Commons. The fear of ‘no deal’, as well as a dislike of ‘no Brexit’, are strong enough for there to be a...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/23/cheer-up-its-the-best-uk-can-do-outlook-for-reserve-asset-management/

Trump stuck with Powell despite strains, Global crypto-asset regulatory landscape

Commentary: Trump stuck with Powell despite strains

By Darrell Delamaide in Washington

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari’s defiance on the Fed’s interest rate increases has made commentators wonder if he was angling for Jerome Powell’s job as Fed chair. Donald Trump himself has been complaining loudly and often how much Powell’s policy bothers him. In practice, the US president’s freedom of action in firing a Fed chief is practically non-existent. The Fed has sought to defend...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/22/trump-stuck-with-powell-despite-strains-global-crypto-asset-regulatory-landscape/

New report: crypto-assets and how they should be regulated

Investors favour Switzerland, UK and US for crypto-assts

Potential crypto-asset investors favour established jurisdictions such as Switzerland, the UK and US as the best regulatory environments for trading and investment operations in this new asset class, according to a survey by investment firm London & Oxford and OMFIF.

The survey published today in the ‘Global crypto-asset regulatory landscape’ report shows that more than 40% of investors favoured these three locations.

The report provides...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/21/new-report-crypto-assets-and-how-they-should-be-regulated/

Zambia’s infrastructure habit, Super-fast politics podcast

Commentary: Zambia’s infrastructure habit

By Max Roch in London

Infrastructure development in Zambia is a powerful tool for swaying public opinion. However, despite its importance to economic growth, it is contentious. Past projects are associated with high costs, opaque tender processes and rising public debt. The tension between development and debt dominates, and the two issues often lead back to China and its funding of Zambian infrastructure projects. In a nation that emerged out of...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/14/zambias-infrastructure-habit-super-fast-politics-podcast/

Doves waiting in Fed wings, Global trends in interest rates

Commentary: Doves waiting in Fed wings

By Darrell Delamaide in Washington

The rotation of voting members of the Federal Open Market Committee after its December meeting will bring to the fore outspoken doves, James Bullard of the St. Louis Fed and Charles Evans of the Chicago Fed, to balance out incoming hawks. Bullard made headlines in mid-October by calling for the Fed to stop raising rates and has proposed changed in how the Fed views the sustainability of current low unemployment and its...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/13/doves-waiting-in-fed-wings-global-trends-in-interest-rates/

US midterms fulfil market expectations, Discussion with Mark Sobel on US economy policy

Commentary: US midterms fulfil market expectations

By Elliot Hentov in London

The results of the 6 November US midterm elections illustrate how President Donald Trump remains bound to historical norms around US voter preferences for shared power. That is the central insight from this result: the loss of total Republican control of Congress should somewhat constrain Trump’s potential for erratic behaviour. The initial market reaction has been positive, as the outcome fulfilled expectations. While...

http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2018/11/09/us-midterms-fulfil-market-expectations-discussion-with-mark-sobel-on-us-economy-policy/

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/