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Basel II - Feedback to the Committee
The Basel Committee received over 230 comments on its January 2001 draft capital accord. All of these are posted on the Committee's website - we pick out some of hte notable comments.
Basel II - Official texts
The official texts comprising the new Basel Accord including supporting documents and commentaries from the committee
Macedonia bank has new model for market prognoses
MACEDONIA - The National Bank of Macedonia (NBM) has developed a new econometric model for macroeconomic prognoses and for simulation of some market movements to judge on their effect.
Monetary council member resigns in Hungary
HUNGARY - Professor Janos Kornai, one of Hungary's most prominent economists, has announced his resignation from his position on the monetary council of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB).
Putin signs federal banking law in Russia
RUSSIA - President Putin signed the Federal laws "on amendments to the law on banks and banking" and "on amendments to article N73 of the federal law on the Central Bank of Russia.
Bahrain grants licences to two financial houses
BAHRAIN - Bahrain has granted licences to two financial houses to operate from the Gulf Arab state, the Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA), the island state's central bank, said on 25 June.
Long hols for Bank of England staff
UK - Following the introduction of a new terms and conditions package, staff at the Bank of England can now enjoy up to eight weeks annual leave. Staff at the Bank have always enjoyed generous benefits packages, however the many different schemes…
World Bank conference goes online
US - The World Bank is to host its annual conference on development economics on the internet on 25 June.
Court confirms validity of Tuma as CNB head
CZECH REPUBLIC - The Czech Constitutional Court on 20 June confirmed the validity of President Vaclav Havel's appointment of Zdenek Tuma as Czech National Bank (CNB) governor and Ludek Niedermeyer as vice governor.
Argentina links to euro
ARGENTINA - The Argentine Senate has approved a new law that will fix its currency to the euro as well as to the dollar.
Sri Lanka modernises central bank with support
SRI LANKA - Sri Lanka will boost the effectiveness of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) with support from a US$30.3 million credit just announced by the World Bank. The Central Bank Strengthening Project provides resources and technical assistance to…
Indonesia set on sacking central bank board
Indonesia - Indonesia on 21 June insisted on going ahead with the controversial sacking of the central bank board but was prepared to add to a revised law on Bank Indonesia (BI) to ensure its independence.
Thai central bank calls meeting on forex rules
THAILAND - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) said on 21 June it would hold a meeting on Monday (25 June) with the Thai Bankers Association to seek members' views on streamlining reporting rules for non-residents trading the Thai baht.
India's central bank issues Net banking guidelines
INDIA - Only banks licensed in India and operating a domestic branch network will be allowed to offer Internet banking in the country, according to guidelines finalised last week by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The challenges of universal banking
ARTICLE - Realising benefits of a universal banking system, such as a level playing field and economic development, can only be possible when the challenges and strategies to contain them are identified.
Uganda central bank plans commercial bank sale
SWEDEN - Bank of Uganda Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile said in an interview on 20 June he expected to complete within two months a deal to privatise Uganda Commercial Bank Ltd (UCB).
History shows multiple currencies breed corruption
ARGENTINA - History suggests that multiple currency regimes like Argentina's two-tiered foreign exchange system distort economic activity, invite corruption and in some cases can cause mass amounts of foreign reserves to vanish overnight.
Euro gives spur for updating
ARTICLE - The Financial Times, London on 21 June published an article on regulation by Vincent Boland. The article is subtitled 'IPO issuers face a range of standards and requirements in Europe. Meeting them is a costly and time-consuming exercise.
Bank of England - Annual Report 2001
UK - The Bank of England's Annual Report for 2000/ 2001 was published on 20 June. The governor, Sir Edward George, believes that the steady progress made during the year can be continued. But acknowledges a downside in the shape of the slowdown in the US…
Friedman issues euro warning
US - Top US economist Milton Friedman believes Europe was wrong to introduce the single European currency and predicts it will lead to a raft of economic problems for the region.
Single currency for NZ and Aus
NEW ZEALAND - Economists at a Sydney forum discussed a shared currency for New Zealand and Australia on 20 June.
Hungarian parliament passes new central bank act
HUNGARY - The Hungarian parliament passed the new Central Bank Act late evening of 19 June. The new act relegates supervisory authority over the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) to the State Audit Office (ASZ), and replaces the current central bank council…
Eichel supports ECB's Duisenberg
GERMANY - German Finance Minister Hans Eichel has lent his support to the European Central Bank's oft-criticized president, Wim Duisenberg, German business newspaper reported on 21 June.