Chinese banks allowed to issue CDs

Chinese banks will be allowed to issue large-denomination negotiable certificates of deposit starting today, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing the statement of People’s Bank of China. This move signals China’s ambition to proceed with interest-rate liberalization. The interest rate on the new instruments will be determined by the market, unlike ordinary bank deposits, which are subject to an interest-rate cap in China. Initially they will be available to fund managers and participants in the interbank market, but not issued directly to individuals or nonfinancial enterprises.