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Henrique Meirelles: central banking natural
This article, from the International Herald Tribune, says Henrique Meirelles, the governor of the Central Bank of Brazil, has quickly mastered the central bankers' art of elusive communication.
Uncertainty surrounds Gulf monetary union
In the last week Kuwait and Oman have opted expand the range of currencies they peg their exchange rates to. These developments cast doubts over the gulf region's ability to meet its 2010 deadline for a monetary union.
Germany defends ECB focus on money growth
Germany's Bundesbank has come out in stout defence of the European Central Bank, arguing that money supply figures - used by the ECB in making interest rate decisions - are helpful in identifying property market distortions.
World on the brink of higher inflation - OECD
Citing strong domestic demand as the main factor driving prices upward, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says central banks should "err on the side of tightness" in the face of inflationary pressure.
New Riksbank Financial Stability Report
The Swedish Riksbank released its latest Financial Stability Report on 24 May. The central bank concludes that "profitability of the Swedish banks has continued to rise" and that they are in "a good position to cope with unexpected negative events."
Shareholders call for investigation on ABN Amro
A Dutch shareholders association has asked the European Internal Market Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, to investigate the Dutch central bank's recent actions in the ongoing takeover battle for ABN Amro.
The Fund's changing role in Asia
In this speech, David Burton, director of the Asia & Pacific Department of the IMF, points out how the Fund's role in Asia has changed since the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and 1998.
A user's guide to derivatives data
This research note by US Federal Reserve discusses the potential use of newly-collected data on cross-border derivatives.
The future of UK regulation
In this speech, Dan Waters, director of Retail Policy at the Financial Services Authority, provides an overview of the main principles and applications of the authority's much-praised "principles-based" supervision.
Japanese consumers to keep economy floating
The International Monetary Fund predicts an economic expansion in Japan of 2.3% this year, followed by 1.9% in 2008.
Assessing financial soundness indicators
This paper analyses the relationship between selected macroeconomic and financial soundness indicators (FSIs) such as capital adequacy, asset quality and profitability.
A primer on Islamic finance
This IMF working paper provides a review of the current state of market development in Islamic finance and examines the legal and economic implications of shariah compliance.
Research on negative savings rates
This research by the New York Fed suggests that the macroeconomic risks and those to individual households' well-being, associated with negative personal savings rates are overstated.
Monetary policy and the labour market
This speech Irma Rosenburg, first deputy governor of the Swedish Riksbank, explores the relationship between monetary policy and the labour market.
Policy pitfalls in an asset-dependent world
In this week's edition of his weekly market commentary Morgan Stanley Chief Economist, Stephen Roach, says that American policymakers should stop blaming others for the global imbalances.
Too strong rupee?
This article from the International Herald Tribune suggests that calls are mounting on the Reserve Bank of India to stem the strengthening of the rupee.
IMF wants Dominican CB bill passed
A delegation of the International Monetary Fund to the Dominican Republic has pushed for the country's congress to pass a bill to recapitalise the central bank with $200m.
PBoC deputy weighs in on exchange rate battles
With the US and China engaged in talks over the latter's large trade surplus, Su Ning, the deputy governor of the People's Bank of China has said that the surplus has not been caused by the yuan-dollar exchange rate but that the country nonetheless…
BoE contemplated 0.5% rate hike
The Bank of England considered raising interest rates by 50 basis points at the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 9-10 May, the meeting's minutes showed.
Thai CB cuts rates again
In an effort to revitalise the economy, Thailand's central bank has cut interest rates for the fourth time since the start of 2007, reducing the one-day bond repurchase rate from 4% to 3.5%.
Fed's Lacker: core inflation still too high
Jeffrey Lacker, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, said on 22 May that core inflation was still too high and rising expectations of future price pressures was a source of concern.
FSA's inaction on split caps chided
The UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA) has been criticised for closing a five-year investigation into the split capital investment trust scandal without taking action against any individuals or firms.
The outlook for the Indian economy
In the speech Dr Y.V. Reddy, the governor of the Reserve Bank of India, discusses macroeconomic performance, the financial sector, the short term outlook, and the challenges and strengths of the Indian economy.
Monetary operations in China
This Bank of Japan Working Paper suggests that the People's Bank of China's money market operations have been focused mainly on China-US interest rate differentials for the sake of stability in the Renminbi exchange rate after the July 2005 reform.