Central Banking staff
Follow Central Banking
Articles by Central Banking staff
BoE holds rates, aids markets
The Bank of England voted on Thursday to keep the base rate at 5.75% after offering the previous day to inject extra funds into the money markets next week if liquidity problems persist.
3rd Islamic banking conference in Karachi
The third international conference on Islamic Banking and Finance Risk Management, Regulation and Supervision will be held in Karachi during April 2008, according to an announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan.
Deputy discusses Australian reaction to turmoil
Ric Battellino, deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, spoke about the central bank's handling of the recent bout of market turmoil at the Retail Financial Services Forum on Central Bank Market Operations in Sydney on 28 August.
Bank of Guyana - Annual Report 2006
Lawrence Williams, the governor of the central bank, said that, after recording a decline of 1.9% in 2005, Guyana's economy rebounded in 2006 to register real economic growth of 4.7%, exceeding the 4.3% target for the year.
ECB rate setting analysed
This paper, published by the Institute for Monetary and Financial Stability, uses the ordered-probit technique and variables noted in the European Central Bank's (ECB's) Monthly Bulletin to investigate how the central bank sets rates.
Thailand encourages e-payment
The Bank of Thailand plans to reduce cash payments and cheque payments by promoting e-payment with consumers and the public and private sectors.
Australia keeps benchmark rate unchanged
As widely expected, the Reserve Bank of Australia left its overnight cash rate target unchanged on Wednesday at an 11-year high of 6.5%. The central bank had previously raised borrowing costs on 8 August, the first move since November last year.
Israel launches same-day clearing system
The Bank of Israel launched its real-time gross settlement system (RTGS) for bank transfers on 3 September. This is part of the central bank's reforms of Israel's payment and clearing systems.
Fed's Lacker "unconvinced" of need for cut
Jeffrey Lacker, the president of the Richmond Federal Reserve intimated that he was not yet convinced of the necessity for a cut in the Fed's overnight policy rate, and said that, although he would back a cut if necessary, he remained wary of inflation.
OECD sings praises of central banks
Jean-Philippe Cotis, the chief economist of the OECD, had warm words for central banks Wednesday when he presented the organisation's interim assessment of the global economy in between the spring and autumn editions of the Economic Outlook.
Central Bank of Tunisia - Annual Report 2006
The Central Bank of Tunisia has published its 48th annual report. Covering the year 2006, it analyses the main economic and financial trends prevailing in Tunisia and throughout the world and presents the issuing institution's financial statements,…
Singapore's capital markets impressive
Kola Luu, executive director of the financial markets strategy department at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in a speech at the ACI Forum on 3 September 2007, highlighted the good performance of Singapore's domestic capital markets.
Algeria's unemployment relatively high
This paper considers the determinants of labour market performance in Algeria.
Aging, demand and the structure of wages
Substantial shifts in the age distribution of the working population are being brought about by demographic change.
New framework for supervision in Nigeria
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) intend to introduce a comprehensive framework for banking supervision and have sent a draft to banks asking for their comments.
RBI profits soar
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recorded growth of 182% in gross total income to Rs 75,348 crore ($18.4 billion) during 2006-07 from Rs 26,320 crore last year on the back of the sale of State Bank of India (SBI) shares.
Pakistan banking supervision move
The government of Pakistan is planning to take banking supervision away from the central bank and bring banks under the regulatory control of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) through new legislation, the 'Financial Market…
EU's Almunia expects rates to tighten
Speaking at a conference organised by Nueva Economia, Joaquin Almunia, the EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner, intimated that he expects Eurozone interest rates to tighten further. He also warned that financial market volatility might carry…
Cost of UK borrowing hits ten-year high
Banks borrowing sterling over a three-month period yesterday found the cost at a near-ten-year high as the major UK financial institutions sought medium-term funding to help them survive the financial volatility in the credit markets.
Thailand to hold risk management event
The Bank of Thailand said on Monday that this year's research event will cover 'Managing Financial Risks for the Coming Decade'.
Islamic finance growing fast - Malaysian governor
Tan Sri Dato' Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, said that the Islamic finance industry is expanding by 15% to 20% a year, with demand outstripping supply.
Central Bank of Libya - 2005 Annual Report
Legislation passed in 2005 has led to a more independent Central Bank of Libya. The Banking Law Number 1 allowed the central bank greater autonomy in deciding monetary and credit policy, and banking supervision.
Fed Board's Mishkin writes on housing crisis
In a timely paper, Frederic Mishkin, one of five current members of the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors, has emphasised the importance of the housing industry on the US economy. Mishkin said: "The housing market is of central concern to monetary…
Paramonova to leave Russian central bank
Tatiana Paramonova, first deputy chairman of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR), is to quit her office in September.