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Norges Bank raises benchmark rate
In a widely predicted move, Norway's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the eleventh time in two years, moving the deposit rate up by a quarter point to 4.5%.
RBNZ may continue to sell its dollar - deputy gov
Grant Spencer, deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said on 27 June that the central bank may continue selling its domestic currency, now trading at its highest level in more than two decades.
RBA's Lowe on the 2007/08 review of payments
Speaking at the 4th International Consumer Credit Card Summit in Sydney, Philip Lowe set out the Payment System Board's plans for its review this year.
Fed to streamline cheque processing
As consumers shift to electronic payments, the Federal Reserve Banks set out plans to streamline cheque processing.
HKMA's Yam on renminbi bonds
Renminbi-denominated bonds in Hong Kong are part of a bigger picture for both Hong Kong and the Mainland, writes Joseph Yam.
Basel II and financial institution resiliency
Remarks by Nout Wellink, governor President of the Netherlands Bank and Chairman of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, at the "Risk Capital 2007" conference in Paris.
Bank of England losing economists to the City
The annual report of the Bank of England, published on 25 June, acknowledged concerns about the departure of some of the central bank's economists, seduced away from Threadneedle Street by the promise of higher pay in the financial service sector.
Fed under fire in Washington over supervision
In spite of the successes of his first 16 months in office, the relations of Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, with the American Congress are deteriorating as the country's central bank is threatened with having some of its authority…
Chicago Fed's National Activity Index improves
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago announced on 25 June that its gauge of the national economy, the National Activity Index, although negative in May, was stronger than it was a month ago because as a number of indicators showed an improvement.
Bank of Israel leaves rates unchanged
The governor of the Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer, announced on 25 June that the monetary rate for July 2007 will remain unchanged at 3.5%.
Slovakia keeps rates steady
All key interest rates were left unchanged by the board of the National Bank of Slovakia at its regular monthly meeting on 26 June.
Bank of Canada: Financial System Review
The Bank of Canada published, on 21 June, the latest issue of its biennial "Financial System Review."
IMF: Romania Article IV consultation
The IMF on 25 June released the staff report and public information notice regarding the conclusion of its Article IV consultation with Romania. The Fund projected 7% (baseline) growth of real GDP in 2007, down from 7.7% (preliminary estimate) in 2006.
ECB on euro bonds and derivatives
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published a report on "The euro bonds and derivatives markets" on 26 June.
BoE annual report
The Bank of England (BoE) published its 2007 annual report on 25 June. Highlights include a 77% rise in the bank's annual profit in the last financial year and the launch of the Adam Smith £20 note.
"Whitening effect" changes Hungary's thinking
In a surprise move the National Bank of Hungary cut its benchmark interest rate on 25 June. Rates remain the highest in the European Union, despite the 25 basis point cut which took them to 7.75%. It was the first rate change in Hungary since October…
Tight monetary policy in Sri Lanka pays off
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced on 25 June that rates will remained unchanged at 10.5%. The central bank also published its regular review of monetary policy on 25 June, noting that improvements in the external and monetary sectors of the economy…
Bank of Israel - reserves report
The annual report of the Foreign Currency Department describes and analyses changes in the level of Israel's foreign exchange reserves, developments in their management, liquidity, rate of return and the risks to which the reserves portfolio is exposed.
The international role of the euro
This report from the ECB charts the rise in use of the single currency as a reserve asset, for trade invoicing, in bank deposits and as a parallel currency.
Bank of Mexico keeps interest rate on hold
The Bank of Mexico, the country's central bank, held its overnight lending rate at 7.25% on 22 June, after a larger than expected fall in consumer prices in May.
BIS annual report 2006-07
New board members and nearly a billion dollars in profit were among the highlights of this year's report from Basel.
FSA's hedge fund supremo changes sides
The British Financial Services Authority has seen a number of its senior regulators leaving to join the ranks of the regulated, and the latest is Chris Rexworthy, who was responsible for setting up the Authority's hedge fund practice.
The continuing rise of the kiwi
The New Zealand dollar continues its rapid rise on perceptions that the central bank will be unable to stem a rally powered by Japanese investors looking for higher yields. The currency rose to its highest level in 22 years on 25 June.
BIS warns on inflation and trade imbalances
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) noted in its 77th Annual Report, released on 24 June, that the performance of the global economy over the last few years has been extraordinary, raising "questions about the source and, closely related, the…