monetary policy

The Swiss franc has fallen in value as expectations build that central banks outside Switzerland may raise interest rates, narrowing the appeal of the franc as a safe-haven currency. The move, reported by the Wall Street Journal, signals shifting expectations in currency markets about the relative path of monetary policy between Switzerland and other major economies.

Dave Ramsden, a deputy governor at the Bank of England, said there would be a case for raising the key interest rate if inflationary pressures build further. His comments signal that the Bank's rate-setting committee remains ready to tighten monetary policy, and traders and economists are watching closely for clues about the timing of any move.

The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged while new figures show inflation climbing to its highest level in three years. The combination leaves policymakers in a difficult position: cutting rates could push prices up further, while raising them risks slowing the economy. Analysts are watching closely for signals on when the central bank might move next.

Turkish markets are focused on an October agenda dominated by central bank interest rate decisions and S&P's latest assessment of Turkey's creditworthiness. The rating review and policy moves are expected to shape the lira, bonds and equities in the coming weeks, with investors watching closely for signals on the direction of monetary policy.

The South African Reserve Bank has appointed a seventh member to its Monetary Policy Committee, expanding the body that sets the country's interest rates. Reuters reported the appointment. The move is drawing attention because changes to the committee's composition can signal shifts in future monetary policy direction, and markets watch MPC appointments closely for hints on the inflation outlook.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is preparing for a potentially severe 'Godzilla' El Niño event that threatens to drive up food prices and complicate the country's inflation outlook. Officials are weighing how drought damage to agriculture could feed into inflation and affect monetary policy decisions in the months ahead.

The likelihood of the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates again in October has fallen sharply. Observers say the Fed will likely keep monitoring the effects of its previous tightening measures before deciding on further moves. Markets and investors are watching closely, with the development also drawing attention from cryptocurrency commentators sensitive to US monetary policy.

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said the US central bank must work to bring down inflation pressures, remarks carried by Reuters and multiple US newspapers. The comments come as markets watch closely for signals on how long the Fed will keep monetary policy tight.

The South African Reserve Bank has appointed Ruch as the seventh member of its Monetary Policy Committee, expanding the panel that sets the country's interest rates. The move changes the composition of the committee that decides monetary policy for Africa's most industrialised economy, and is drawing attention from markets watching the direction of South African rate decisions.

Caribbean central banks are reportedly stepping away from central bank digital currencies in favour of fast payment systems, according to Global Finance Magazine. The shift suggests regional monetary authorities now see real-time payment infrastructure as a more practical way to expand financial access than issuing digital currencies. No details on which countries are involved were given.

A daily news roundup is summarising the day's top 30 headlines, led by a stock market crash, tensions between America and Iran, and the central bank's repo rate decision. The roundup bundles the biggest financial and geopolitical stories of the day into one briefing, with markets the dominant theme alongside international affairs and monetary policy news.

Inflation accelerated across the euro zone, according to Reuters, adding pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates at its next meeting. The pickup, which affected the whole currency bloc rather than isolated countries, strengthens the case for policymakers to tighten monetary policy despite concerns about growth. Markets and analysts will be watching for signals on the timing and size of any rate increase.

The European Central Bank has released its euro area bank interest rate statistics for August 2026. The monthly publication covers deposit and lending rates applied by euro area banks, data closely watched by economists and markets for signs of how ECB policy decisions are passing through to households and businesses. The figures arrive amid ongoing attention to the interest rate environment across the eurozone.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has published an explainer on how repurchase agreements, or repos, are used to implement monetary policy. The piece outlines how repo operations help the central bank keep short-term interest rates within its target range by managing the supply of reserves in the banking system, a topic that has drawn renewed attention amid ongoing debate over money market liquidity and the Fed's balance sheet.

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said the Federal Reserve must work to bring down inflation pressures, underscoring the central bank's commitment to its price-stability goal. His comments come as policymakers weigh how much further to restrict monetary policy, with markets watching closely for signals on the path of interest rates.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is preparing for a potentially severe 'Godzilla' El Niño event, which threatens to disrupt food supplies and drive up inflation in the Philippines. The weather pattern could hit agricultural output and rice prices, adding pressure on policymakers already battling elevated inflation. The drought linked to El Niño is expected to test the central bank's efforts to keep price growth under control.

The Bank of Japan affirmed that its policy focus has shifted to preventing inflation from overshooting its target, according to a summary of opinions from last month's policy meeting, at which the central bank raised its policy rate. The move signals growing confidence in Japan's economy while keeping price pressure in check.

Switzerland's inflation rate has climbed to its highest level in two years, driven mainly by rising energy costs. The increase marks a notable shift for a country long known for low and stable prices, and it puts fresh attention on energy prices and their knock-on effects for households and Swiss monetary policy.

The European Central Bank has started looking for a replacement for Isabel Schnabel, a move seen as the first step in shaping the institution beyond Christine Lagarde's leadership. Schnabel, the ECB's influential executive board member, is widely credited with shaping the bank's communication on monetary policy, making her succession closely watched by markets.

A summary of the Bank of Japan's September policy meeting shows board members debated the need for further interest rate increases, including the possibility of raising rates faster than previously planned. The disclosure suggests the central bank is leaning toward continuing to normalize monetary policy, and markets are watching for signals on the timing of the next move.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's Financial Stability Review says Australian households and businesses are well placed to weather a slower economy and falling house prices. The assessment suggests the central bank sees the financial system remaining resilient despite rising interest rates and cooling property values, offering reassurance to borrowers and markets concerned about the impact of tighter monetary policy.

US President Donald Trump has again called for Jerome Powell to step down as head of the Federal Reserve, renewing a long-running feud with the central bank chief. Trump has repeatedly criticised Powell over interest rate policy, and the fresh call is drawing attention to tensions between the White House and the US central bank.

The Swiss National Bank has warned that the growing use of stablecoins could hinder the effectiveness of its monetary policy. According to the central bank, widespread adoption of privately issued digital currencies pegged to fiat money could weaken its control over money supply and interest rates. The statement adds the Swiss institution to a growing list of regulators and central banks voicing concern over stablecoins' impact on financial stability.

Attention is turning to whether the Bank of England will raise interest rates in the final quarter of the year. Markets and savers are watching for signals on inflation and the bank's next policy move, with analysts weighing whether further tightening is likely before the end of 2024.

A summary of the Bank of Japan's September policy meeting shows board members debated whether further interest rate hikes were needed. The disclosure is drawing attention as markets watch for clues on the timing of the BOJ's next move away from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy, and on how policymakers weighed inflation pressures against risks to Japan's economy.

Expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates a second time in 2026 have weakened considerably. The shift suggests markets and analysts see a more cautious monetary outlook, with fewer convictions that additional tightening will be needed amid mixed economic signals.

The Bank of Japan's move away from decades of ultra-loose monetary policy is in focus, with a Reuters preview arguing the pivot now opens scope for raising interest rates more quickly than markets had expected. Traders and economists are watching how quickly the central bank normalises policy as inflation persists and the yen remains under pressure.

The Bank of Mozambique has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 9.25% at its latest monetary policy meeting. The decision means borrowing costs in the southern African nation stay steady, with the bank opting not to adjust policy amid ongoing monitoring of inflation and economic conditions. Details on the bank's reasoning were not immediately available.

Colombia's central bank has raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 12.25%. The move, reported by financial outlets including TradingView, signals continued tight monetary policy as policymakers work to bring inflation under control in the South American economy. Markets and analysts are watching whether further hikes will follow.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has declined to rule out stepping down a few months before her term ends, according to Bloomberg. Her current term runs into 2027, and any early departure would raise immediate questions about succession at the helm of the eurozone's central bank and about continuity in its monetary policy stance at a sensitive time.

Colombia's central bank is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at its upcoming policy meeting, according to a Bloomberg decision guide, with further rate hikes possible later in the tightening cycle. Analysts will watch for signals on the timing of additional increases as policymakers balance inflation pressures against slowing growth.