Bank of England holds interest rate at 0.75 per cent December 19, 2019 The Bank of England has decided to hold interest rates at 0.75 per cent in its last meeting of 2019 as it warned there was little chance of significant economic growth this quarter. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 7-2 in favour of maintaining the rate, as it did at its previous meeting in [...]
Bank of England governor vacancy gets 650 applications on Linkedin December 17, 2019 The role of the governor of the Bank of England has piqued the interest of Linkedin users as one of the most viewed jobs in 2019. Current incumbent Mark Carney is leaving the role on 31 January, with big names like Financial Conduct Authority boss Andrew Bailey and City grandee Helena Morrissey in the running [...]
Bank of England set to hold interest rate ahead of next governor announcement December 15, 2019 The Bank of England is this week expected to hold interest rates at 0.75 per cent, despite pressure from some quarters for a further quarter-point cut. On Thursday the Bank’s nine-member monetary policy committee, which is responsible for setting the interest rate, will announce its decision. Read more: Mark Carney appointed UN climate envoy ahead [...]
Over the last decade, central banks have gained huge influence over our lives November 4, 2019 Monetary policy, central bank independence, quantitative easing. These and many other subjects tend to make people’s eyes glaze over, and are best left to finance nerds to battle over in quiet corners. Yet central banks have, over the last decade, emerged from the shadows of arcane macroeconomic policy discussions to become fundamental to all our [...]
Serious Fraud Office shut down Libor rigging investigation October 19, 2019 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has shut down an investigation into the rigging of Libor. Libor is the benchmark interest rate that tracks the cost of borrowing cash. The decision comes despite evidence implicating the Bank of England, the BBC reports. Read more: Regulators say firms must not wait to move away from Libor The [...]
Britain’s financial system ‘prepared’ for worst case Brexit scenario, says Bank of England October 9, 2019 Britain’s banks and financial system are prepared for a “worst case disorderly Brexit”, the Bank of England (BoE) said, although it warned there could still be disruption, particularly for borrowers from the European Union (EU). Extensive preparations by UK authorities and businesses have mitigated “most risks to UK financial stability that could arise from disruption [...]
Bank of England sets out strict regulatory conditions for Facebook Libra October 9, 2019 The Bank of England (BoE) has set out the rules of engagement that Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency and other similar digital payment providers would have to satisfy before they can launch in Britain. “Libra has the potential to become a systemically important payment system,” the BoE’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) said in a policy statement released [...]
The next Bank of England governor must be prepared for a political storm October 6, 2019 When Dame Helena Morrissey revealed she was standing down from Legal & General last week, the City rumour mill was sent into overdrive. The Square Mile veteran and champion of boardroom equality said only that “in a changing Britain” she had “a lot of ideas and other things to achieve”. This rather enigmatic sign-off will [...]
Bank of England could cut interest rates if Brexit uncertainty persists, says MPC member September 27, 2019 The Bank of England may need to cut interest rates even if a no-deal Brexit is avoided, according to a member of the monetary policy committee (MPC), which sets the rates. Michael Saunders has said that the Bank may have to cut rates if the “slow puncture” effect on the economy from Brexit uncertainty persists. [...]
The UK faces a bipolar economic outlook September 20, 2019 The fact that the UK’s economic prospects appear both bipolar and nebulous is a measure of the unique period that we are in. While Boris Johnson began his premiership in high energy, with the strong conviction that Britain would exit the EU by 31 October, this momentum has quickly evaporated. Earlier this month, MPs voted [...]