China's C.bank Warns SVB Failure Shows Impact of Rapid Global Rate Hikes

A security guard stands outside of the entrance of the Silicon Valley Bank headquarters in Santa Clara, California, US, March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brittany Hosea-Small/File Photo
A security guard stands outside of the entrance of the Silicon Valley Bank headquarters in Santa Clara, California, US, March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brittany Hosea-Small/File Photo
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China's C.bank Warns SVB Failure Shows Impact of Rapid Global Rate Hikes

A security guard stands outside of the entrance of the Silicon Valley Bank headquarters in Santa Clara, California, US, March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brittany Hosea-Small/File Photo
A security guard stands outside of the entrance of the Silicon Valley Bank headquarters in Santa Clara, California, US, March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brittany Hosea-Small/File Photo

A senior official at the People's Bank of China said on Saturday the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) showed how rapid monetary policy shifts were having spillover effects, state-owned newspaper Shanghai Securities News reported.

Xuan Changneng, a deputy governor at the People's Bank of China told the Global Asset Management Forum in Beijing that some financial institutions had grown accustomed to running their balance sheets in an environment of low interest rate volatility and as such lacked sensitivity to short-term and large fluctuations in rates.

Silicon Valley Bank's balance sheet characteristics made it more sensitive to interest rates changes and ultimately led to risk, the newspaper cited him as saying.

"Based on the current situation, there is still uncertainty about whether inflation in the major developed economies will fall significantly in the short term, and continuing to maintain relatively high interest rates may also have an adverse impact on the steady operations of the banking and financial system," he said.

SVB Financial Group on Friday sought protection under Chapter 11 of the US bankruptcy code, days after its former unit Silicon Valley Bank was taken over by US regulators.



Italy, Albania, UAE Sign Deal for Energy Subsea Interconnection

People visit the World Future Energy Summit 2025 (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14 January 2025.  EPA/ALI HAIDER
People visit the World Future Energy Summit 2025 (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14 January 2025. EPA/ALI HAIDER
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Italy, Albania, UAE Sign Deal for Energy Subsea Interconnection

People visit the World Future Energy Summit 2025 (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14 January 2025.  EPA/ALI HAIDER
People visit the World Future Energy Summit 2025 (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14 January 2025. EPA/ALI HAIDER

Italy, Albania and the United Arab Emirates signed on Wednesday a deal worth at least 1 billion euros ($1 billion) to build a subsea interconnection for renewable energy across the Adriatic Sea.

"We strongly believe in this project involving our three governments, as well as our private sector and grid operators," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said as she announced the deal at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

The three-way partnership, which aims to produce green power in Albania and export it to Italy through underwater cables, will involve Italian grid operator Terna and UAE's National Energy Company (Taqa), Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said.

The Albanian premier added that the infrastructure would connect the Albanian port of Vlore to the southern Italian region of Puglia, the narrowest point between the two countries, and was expected to be operational within a maximum of three years.