Central Banking staff
Follow Central Banking
Articles by Central Banking staff
ECB statements and interest rate predictability
The DNB Working Paper "Is a word to the wise indeed enough? ECB statements and the predictability of interest rate decisions" shows that comments by euro area central bankers contain information on future ECB interest rate decisions, but that the…
National Bank of Poland - Annual Report 2004
According to the National Bank of Poland's Annual Report 2004, the NBP became still more open and transparent as an institution in 2004.
Comment: ECB continues to tighten
As expected the European Central Bank (ECB) yesterday raised eurozone interest rates by another 25 basis points, taking them to 2.5%. With the markets pricing in two further 25 basis point hikes this year, attention now turns to whether ECB president,…
Significant progress on global financial stability
Senior regulators, who met on Wednesday 1 March, said that progress had been made in improving the stability of the global financial system, but noted that much more needed to be done.
Report says BOJ considering 'reference rate'
The Bank of Japan is considering setting a 'reference rate' on inflation to guide markets on its monetary policy intentions, Jiji Press and other media reported.
ECB raises rates, says more rises are possible
The European Central Bank raised its benchmark interest rate on Thursday 2 March for the second time in three months and suggested more hikes are possible as economic growth and inflation accelerate.
ECB poses no objection to Stark's appointment
At Thursday's meeting, 2 March, the Governing Council of the ECB adopted an opinion on a recommendation from the Council of the European Union on the appointment of a new member of the Executive Board of the ECB.
Papademos to be named ECB chief economist - report
European Central Bank (ECB) vice president Lucas Papademos will replace Otmar Issing as chief economist in May, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported, citing unnamed sources close to the bank.
Renminbi Settlement System goes live
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK) jointly announced on Thursday 2 March the launch of the new Renminbi Settlement System (RSS) on 6 March 2006.
RBA's Richards on 'Economy 2006'
In the speech 'Economy 2006' given on 2 March Anthony Richards of the Reserve Bank of Australia said the outlook for the economy was favourable, with above-average world growth ensuring a favourable outlook for investors and commodity producers.
West's gold vanishing in China once again
China will soon release statistics showing that it has passed Japan as the biggest holder of foreign currency the world has ever seen, according to this article published on Sunday 26 February.
DAS: Why is CBN fooling Nigerians?
According to this article published on Monday 27 February , the various exchange rate mechanisms whether christened FEM, IFEM, AFEM, or DAS, could never claim to be truly market determined and have all without exception, eventually led to the…
Monetary policy by committee: Why and how?
In this De Nederlandsche Bank Working Paper, published February 2006, Alan Blinder discusses two questions: Why have so many central banks switched from individual to group decision making, and how?
Greenspan moved markets less
According to the article 'Greenspan moved markets less as Poole, Kohn gained influence' published Wednesday, new research shows former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's speeches moved the bond market less in 2005 than in prior years as William…
Bank of Portugal - Annual Report 2004
According to the Bank of Portugal's Annual Report 2004, the Portuguese economy resumed positive growth in 2004, albeit at a moderate pace.
Comment: Presidential Fed nominations
When George W. Bush announces his nomination to replace departing vice chairman, Roger Ferguson, he will have chosen all seven members of the board of governors at the Fed. In doing so, he will join Ronald Reagan and Franklin Roosevelt as the only…
Gold rally expected as central banks cut sales
Gold may rally in coming months as central banks reduce sales of bullion reserves, New York commodity researcher CPM Group said in its annual outlook report released Tuesday 28 February.
Japan's LDP won't meddle with BOJ
One of Japan's ruling party lawmakers told Reuters on Wednesday 1 March that it is up to the Bank of Japan when it ends its ultra-easy policy so long as steps to contain bond yield spikes are in place.
SARB's Mboweni blasts 'know-it-all' IMF
South African Reserve Bank governor, Tito Mboweni, slammed the IMF and World Bank on Tuesday 28 February for what he called their high handedness and know it all approach when dealing with developing countries.
Adams says Japan's deflation fight almost over
A senior U.S. Treasury official indicated on Wednesday 1 March that Japan has nearly beaten deflation, and China should allow its currency to be more flexible.
Fed's Kroszner sworn in
Randall S. Kroszner took the oath of office on Wednesday 1 March as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
NY Fed's Geithner on risk management challenges
In the speech 'Risk management challenges in the U.S. financial system' given on 28 February Timothy Geithner of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said complex securities like derivatives make the global financial system increasingly vulnerable, and…
HKMA's Yam on the euro
In the speech 'The euro: Lessons for European and Asian financial markets' given on 24 February Joseph Yam of the HKMA said the integration of financial markets in the Asia-Pacific region can be accelerated if financial and monetary authorities in the…
Fisher on Asia, trade deficits and the US economy
In the speech 'Asia, trade deficits and the health of the U.S. economy' given on 23 February Richard Fisher of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said the U.S. economy is poised to grow by more than 4 percent at an annual rate in the current quarter…