China's central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), fixed the central rate for the U.S. dollar against the Chinese yuan (USD/CNY) at 6.8195 for the trading session ahead on Wednesday. That is slightly higher than the previous day's level of 6.8171, meaning the yuan was guided a little weaker. The market had been looking for a fix of 6.7913, so the rate landed softer than expected.
This daily reference rate matters because it sets the direction for the currency, with the central bank allowing the yuan to trade only within a fixed band around it.
What the PBOC actually does
The core monetary policy goals of the People's Bank of China are to safeguard price stability, which includes keeping the exchange rate stable, and to support economic growth. Beyond that, the central bank works to push financial reforms forward, such as opening up and developing the financial market.
How independent is it
The PBOC is owned by the state of the People's Republic of China (PRC), so it is not treated as an autonomous institution. The biggest influence over the bank's management and direction rests not with the governor but with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Committee Secretary, who is nominated by the Chairman of the State Council. At present, however, both of those posts are held by Pan Gongsheng.
A different toolkit from the West
Unlike Western economies, the PBOC reaches for a much wider set of monetary policy instruments to meet its objectives. The main tools include a seven-day Reverse Repo Rate (RRR), the Medium-term Lending Facility (MLF), foreign exchange interventions and the Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR).
That said, China's benchmark interest rate is the Loan Prime Rate (LPR). Changes to the LPR feed straight through to the rates paid on loans and mortgages in the market and to the interest earned on savings. By moving the LPR, the central bank can also shape the exchange rates of the Chinese renminbi.
Where private banks fit in
Yes, China has 19 private banks, a small slice of the overall financial system. The largest among them are the digital lenders WeBank and MYbank, backed by tech giants Tencent and Ant Group. Back in 2014, China let domestic lenders funded entirely by private capital operate inside its state-dominated financial sector.
