New Zealand's economic recovery is progressing slowly, with employment and retail spending both still contracting, according to Bank of New Zealand senior economist commentary. The bank linked the weak results to ongoing pressure on household incomes across the country.

Paraguay's Association of Banks, representing 14 private lenders, has asked the Central Bank to report on the solvency of institutions that received facilities during merger processes. The request follows calls from both ruling-party and opposition senators for the bank's leadership to be removed. The pressure also touches President Santiago Peña's administration.