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EM banks

Markets 31st May 2015

Mobiles vs Branches: The future for EM banks distribution

LONDON | May 30, 2015 | Cristina Marzea (CFA) | All the buzz these days is about digital banking: will banks lose business to disruptive entrants, or will they fight back and embark on a massive digital revolution which will see the branch concept become obsolete. Not all EMs are the same – this refers to levels of bancarisation, credit penetration, technology and mobile adoption, as well as the competitive banking landscape that shapes where each banking market is in the technology cycle. 

Chinese renminbi

Markets 28th May 2015

China: caught in the trap of cautious monetary reforms

Iris Mir | China continues to struggle to avoid being swallowed by the challenges that stifle its stagnant economy while developing a new monetary policy. The IMF applauded the steps taken so far and no longer considers the RMB an undervalued currency. However China remains too cautious in its monetary reforms. Risking the country’s ambitions of further internationalize the RMB and  the joining of IMF’s cherished Special Drawing Rights Basket.

china central bank

Markets 27th May 2015

China: Be prepared to pass the test of the Fed’s next rates hike

BEIJING | May 27, 2015 | By Caixin Editorial Team | Emerging economies have been bracing themselves for a rise in U.S. interest rates. Last week, the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting in April sparked another round of speculation about when the rate hike might begin. Most now expect a start date in December, rather than September.

china local bonds

Markets 24th May 2015

Bonds to tackle Chinese local debt

BEIJING | May 24, 2015 | By Zhang Yuzhe, Huo Kan and Xing Yun via Caixin | A bond program that takes aim at China’s local government debt problem could raise 1 trillion yuan, yet cut creditor yields.

A staircase

Markets 22nd May 2015

US inflation fall will offset poor EU data

The Corner | May 22, 2015 | Three main market drivers to watch today: German IFO confidence index, which is expected to disappoint following the ZEW steps; a lower US inflation, far from the Fed’s 2% target –which would serve as a catalyst so that the bags are listed the lack of arguments to raise interest rates this year. Besides, Mario Draghi could address the unemploment issue. 

 

ECB turns 20 years

Markets 20th May 2015

Market eyes set on ECB comments

The Corner | May 20, 2015 | Monetary policy issues will not be adresses at the ECB’s Governing Council meeting today. However, markets will be very attentive to comments that individual members make, especially given the impact of Coeuré and Noyer’s words on Tuesday (the euro fell against other currencies and European stocks rallyied on ECB bond comments).