Banking | - Part 80

U.S. Treasury Keeps Currency Spotlight on Swiss, Germans

BERLIN (Capital Markets in Africa) – The U.S. Treasury once again singled out Switzerland and Germany for the value of their currencies and exports, suggesting the former could cut interest rates further to alleviate deflationary pressures. While the department said no major trading partner was manipulating its currency to gain an advantage, it kept the two on the list of countries it considers to have a big trade surplus with the U.S., a high current-account surplus or to…

South Africa’s Mminele Downplays Chance of Imminent Rate Cuts

Posted on by The Editorial Team

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – Uncertainty limits the opportunity for rate cuts in South Africa even as inflation remains within the central bank’s target band, according to Deputy Governor Daniel Mminele. The bank unexpectedly kept its key rate unchanged at 6.75 percent at its last policy meeting in September, concerned about higher inflation expectations. Price growth quickened to 4.8 percent in August, its fifth month within the central bank’s target range of 3 percent to 6 percent. “Amid…

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney Confirms Rate Hike Is Near

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LONDON (Capital Markets in Africa) – Mark Carney reaffirmed that the Bank of England is close to its first interest-rate increase in over a decade, as inflation hit 3 percent and one of his colleagues said the economy is approaching a “tipping point.” In a series of testimonies to lawmakers, the BOE governor and the two newest members of the rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee signalled that the erosion of economic slack is dominating their thinking as they prepare for…

Deutsche Bank Is Said to Drop Spanish Unit Sale Over Price

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Deutsche Bank AG said on Monday that it will keep its Spanish retail operation, dropping plans for a potential sale to shore up capital. “To end all speculations, we confirm that we remain committed to our successful and profitable business in Spain,” a Deutsche Bank spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. The Frankfurt-based bank had planned to sell the business but didn’t get the price it wanted, according to a…

Frankfurt, Germany Doesn’t Want London’s Bankers

Posted on by The Editorial Team

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – In the scramble to lure financial jobs from London in the wake of Brexit, Frankfurt is leading the pack—at least nine banks have said they’ll move positions there. That could ultimately mean 10,000 new jobs and well over $100 million annually in new tax revenue for the German financial capital, auguring an economic and cultural rebirth. Micha Hintz hates the idea. “Brexit will be very bad for people with a…

Carney’s Countdown to BOE Rate Hike Faces Make or Break Week

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LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) – Mark Carney is heading into a crucial week in the countdown to a possible Bank of England rate increase in early November. After the International Monetary Fund meetings where most central bankers fretted about weak inflation even amid robust global growth, the governor returns to an economy that’s almost the mirror opposite. While Brexit is weighing on U.K. businesses, price growth is above target — something for lawmakers to press him on…

Bank of Baroda Is Said to Be Probed in S. Africa Over Guptas

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JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – India’s Bank of Baroda is being investigated by South Africa’s central bank over money held for companies controlled by the politically connected Gupta family, according to a person familiar with the matter. The South African Reserve Bank’s probe, which comes after it fined the bank in June for not doing enough to combat financial crime, was sparked after the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse alleged in court papers that mine-rehabilitation funds held for two of…

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