بنكي | GLOBAL

Global central banks hold firm as energy-driven inflation persists

Global financial markets this week remained firmly in the grip of two overarching themes: the persistence of above-target inflation and the unresolved geopolitical shock emanating the Middle East conflict. Central banks across the US, UK, and the Asia-Pacific region are in a delicate holding pattern, unwilling to ease prematurely, yet mindful that prolonged tightening risks stifling already fragile growth. Energy prices, elevated since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, continue to act as a supply-side tax on the global economy, complicating the inflation trajectory for virtually every major central bank. Against this backdrop, the US dollar remains broadly supported, while rate-sensitive currencies face headwinds the prospect of rates staying higher for longer.

Goldman Says Central Banks Want More Gold for Their Reserves

Deutsche Bank Nears Exit from India Retail Banking in Favor of Kotak

Deutsche Bank is moving forward with a significant step in its global business restructuring by planning to exit its retail banking operations in India. The anticipated deal with Kotak Mahindra Bank is estimated at approximately 45 billion rupees around 480 million, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Deutsche Bank: Iran War Could Accelerate the Rise of the “Petroyuan” in Oil Trade

A recent report Deutsche Bank suggests that the ongoing war in Iran could represent a pivotal moment for global energy markets, potentially accelerating the gradual shift of oil trade the US dollar to the Chinese yuan. The bank noted that escalating tensions in the region are placing increased pressure on the traditional dominance of the dollar as the currency of settlement for oil, and that some parties, particularly Iran, may allow the passage of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for payment in yuan, especially with China being the largest importer of Iranian oil.

Collapse of UK Lender MFS Shakes Wall Street and Raises Fears of New Credit Risks

Wall Street was rattled on Friday after the collapse of UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions Ltd MFS, sparking fresh concerns about potential vulnerabilities within the rapidly expanding private credit industry.

JP Morgan sees year-end 2026 gold price at $6,300 per ounce

QNB Group Successfully Completes the Largest Qatari Riyal–Denominated Bond Issuance in the Local Market

QNB Group, a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, today announced the successful issuance of the largest Qatari riyaldenominated bond issuance executed in the local debt capital markets by a financial institution to date, exclusively offered to international investors.

Goldman Sachs Appoints Seven New Partners to Its Management Committee

Goldman Sachs Group has appointed seven new partners to its senior Management Committee, expanding the banks top decision-making body to 46 members, in a move that underscores a major shift toward strengthening its wealth and asset management business.

Bank of America Awards $1 Billion in Employee Bonuses After Strong Performance

The announcement follows the banks better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, which were reported last week. The strong results were supported by heightened market volatility that boosted trading activity, as well as robust interest income.

Dollar Steadies Near One-Month High as Yen Slides to Lowest Level Since July 2024

The U.S. dollar steadied near a one-month high in global markets, while the Japanese yen fell to its weakest level since July 2024, reflecting diverging currency movements.

U.S. Budget Deficit Jumps in December as Trump Presses Powell to Cut Rates After Softer Inflation Data

The U.S. Treasury said the federal government recorded a 145 billion budget deficit in December, marking a 67% increase, or about 58 billion, compared with the same month last year. The sharp rise was driven by record-high spending, which was inflated by calendar shifts that affected the timing of certain benefit payments and revenue collections.

Global Central Bank Officials Affirm: Jerome Powell Has Served with Integrity and Fed Independence Is Non-Negotiable

Officials a number of global central banks issued a joint statement expressing their full support for U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, stressing the importance of preserving the independence of the Federal Reserve any political pressure.