PBOC sets USD/CNY reference rate at 6.8108 vs. 6.8088 previous

Lallalit Srijandorn FXStreet

On Tuesday, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) sets the USD/CNY central rate for the trading session ahead at 6.8108 compared to the previous day's fix of 6.8088 and 6.7605 Reuters estimate.

PBOC FAQs

What does the People's Bank of China do?

The primary monetary policy objectives of the People's Bank of China (PBoC) are to safeguard price stability, including exchange rate stability, and promote economic growth. China’s central bank also aims to implement financial reforms, such as opening and developing the financial market.

Who owns the PBoC?

The PBoC is owned by the state of the People's Republic of China (PRC), so it is not considered an autonomous institution. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Committee Secretary, nominated by the Chairman of the State Council, has a key influence on the PBoC’s management and direction, not the governor. However, Mr. Pan Gongsheng currently holds both of these posts.

What are the main policy tools used by the PBoC?

Unlike the Western economies, the PBoC uses a broader set of monetary policy instruments to achieve its objectives. The primary tools include a seven-day Reverse Repo Rate (RRR), Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF), foreign exchange interventions and Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR). However, The Loan Prime Rate (LPR) is China’s benchmark interest rate. Changes to the LPR directly influence the rates that need to be paid in the market for loans and mortgages and the interest paid on savings. By changing the LPR, China’s central bank can also influence the exchange rates of the Chinese Renminbi.

Are private banks allowed in China?

Yes, China has 19 private banks – a small fraction of the financial system. The largest private banks are digital lenders WeBank and MYbank, which are backed by tech giants Tencent and Ant Group, per The Straits Times. In 2014, China allowed domestic lenders fully capitalized by private funds to operate in the state-dominated financial sector.

Author

Lallalit Srijandorn

FXStreet

Lallalit Srijandorn is a Parisian at heart. She has lived in France since 2019 and now becomes a digital entrepreneur based in Paris and Bangkok.

AUD/USD softens as risk-off mood meets FOMC countdown

The Aussie Dollar loses 0.11% against the Greenback on Tuesday as risk appetite remains negative amid calls from AI company CEOs to slow development, while the FOMC monetary policy meeting looms. Expectations for a Fed rate hike undermine the AUD/USD, which trades at 0.7130.

USD/JPY extends gains toward 155.00 amid USD resurgence

USD/JPY keeps pushing higher toward 155.00 early Tuesday, looking for more upside, as traders await the FOMC and BoJ meetings this week. Meanwhile, Fed rate-hike bets and oil-driven inflation risks keep US bond yields near multi-year highs, supporting the US Dollar and the pair. That said, a more hawkish repricing of the BoJ normalization path might continue to underpin the Japanese Yen and could limit USD/JPY's upside. .

Gold set to fall toward $4,000 as Warsh faces a Fed rate-hike dilemma

As the Federal Reserve monetary policy announcement approaches and the Middle East war intensifies, the US Dollar resumes its advance. Gold price posted a tepid attempt to recover its shine in early August, but with renewed USD demand, the bright metal faltered miserably and is now closer to the $4,000 mark than the encouraging $4,700 peak from a month ago.

Ethereum continues to attract capital despite impending rate hike and Clarity Act failure

Ethereum declined to $2,400 on Tuesday after the Clarity Act failed to progress in the Senate. Despite that and the market's near certainty of an interest rate hike at the next Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting, the top altcoin has continued to attract fresh capital. Ethereum buyers have been dominating sellers over the past few days.

How Japan became the World's Banker and why that era may be ending

Japan's ultra-low interest rates helped finance trillions of dollars in global investments for more than a decade, making the Japanese Yen one of the world’s cheapest sources of funding. With the Bank of Japan expected to tighten policy again this week, that advantage may be entering a new phase. While most major economies raised interest rates, Japan remained the world's outlier.

Venezuela’s 65-billion-barrel Oil deal could reshape America’s inflation fight

The United States (US) has secured unprecedented access to part of Venezuela’s vast Oil reserves. The timing is particularly significant as the war with Iran is disrupting Middle Eastern supplies, keeping energy prices elevated and reviving concerns about inflation.