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BoJ to implement next-generation RTGS project
The Bank of Japan said Friday it has decided to implement the next-generation real-time gross settlement (RTGS-XG) project.
New Fed chair has passion for equations
This article published on Thursday 2 February takes an in-depth look at Ben Bernanke. The new Fed chief, it says, wants to strip away some of the mystery of the Fed and come out with an inflation range to aim for over the medium or long term.
Rato at the farewell dinner for Alan Greenspan
In remarks at the farewell dinner for Alan Greenspan on 24 January (published 2 Feb) IMF Managing Director Rodrigo de Rato said there are many reasons to envy Alan: not just his economic savvy and ability to move financial markets with a few well-chosen…
Interview with ECB's Bini Smaghi
In a recent interview, Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, said that unless private consumption picks up there will be no sustained growth. The high price of oil is an important factor, as it is taking away…
Bies on continuous challenges of risk management
In the speech 'The continuous challenges of risk management' given on 2 February Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said regulators are concerned about heavy commercial real estate exposures and risky mortgage lending practices at U.S. banks.
Bank of Sudan - Annual Report 2003
According to the Bank of Sudan's Annual Report 2003, the year saw a number of economic, financial and monetary developments both on the international and domestic levels.
UK urged to provide more long-term gilts
The UK government should issue more long-term gilts and extend its use of index-linked gilts, investors told the government in an annual consultation meeting on Wednesday 1 February.
Comment: Trichet's new strategy
Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank (ECB), on Thursday 2 February cemented expectations of a 25 basis point rate hike next month. The manner in which he has gone about flagging the move underlines the central bank's new…
BoJ's Muto: Conditions not met for policy shift
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto said on Thursday 2 February it was still too early to abandon the bank's ultra-loose policy despite recent increases in consumer prices.
BoE legal eagle set to retire
According to the Guardian's City diary, Malcolm Glover would have retired from the Bank of England at the end of 2004 had it not been for the litigation brought by the BCCI liquidators.
Merkel looks to Buba for chief economic advisor
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has recruited a top Bundesbank economist, Jens Weidmann, to advise her in economic matters, a German government spokesman said on Wednesday 1 February.
Draghi flies a different course
Italy has all it needs to resolve its own problems and can look towards a bright future, Bank of Italy Governor Mario Draghi said on Thursday 2 February. Draghi also emphasised he would take a different approach to that of former governor Antonio Fazio.
Report says Germany may create gold sale fund
Germany may create a special fund for the proceeds of Bundesbank gold sales in a move which could help ease central bank opposition to the sale of part of its huge reserves, according to a draft law quoted by Reuters on Thursday 2 February.
Trichet says rate hike expectations 'reasonable'
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told a press conference on Thursday 2 February that markets' near-term expectations for ECB interest rates are 'reasonable'.
Canada's Jenkins on global economic trends
In the speech 'Global economic trends: Implications for Canada' given on 1 February Paul Jenkins of the Bank of Canada said the Bank of Canada sees room for "some modest further increase" in interest rates as the economy runs at its production capacity,…
Greenspan goes out with final jab at inflation
The Federal Reserve's decision to increase interest rates again left open the possibility of another increase next month in a smooth handoff of the Fed policy baton from Greenspan to Ben Bernanke, this article published on Wednesday 1 February says.
Common North American currency a tempting idea
The concept of a common North American currency is a tempting idea, according to this article published on Tuesday 31 January. The objections will be more patriotic than economic, it says.
Wolfowitz's moves rankle World Bank staff
According to this recent article, Paul Wolfowitz is sending shock waves through the World Bank as he begins exerting his influence. Critics say Wolfowitz has centralized his authority through an inner circle of advisors mostly from the Pentagon and White…
Sveriges Riksbank Annual Report 2004
According to the Sveriges Riksbank's Annual Report 2004, despite firm economic growth, inflation has remained low. In terms of the CPI and UNDIX inflation was 0.5 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively, in 2004.
Key appointments made as SARB restructures
As part of a restructuring process, two key appointments were announced by the South African Reserve Bank on Tuesday 31 January.
Report says BoJ may extend Suda's term
The Bank of Japan has suggested that it may extend the appointment of a policy board member by giving a the official another five-year term.
Greenspan to become adviser to UK Chancellor
The UK Treasury on Wednesday 1 February announced that Dr Alan Greenspan KBE has agreed to be Honorary Adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.
Bernanke becomes Fed chairman, but without a seat
Alan Greenspan celebrated his final day as Federal Reserve chairman with a lunch of grilled salmon and chocolate cake. He also received various gifts from his colleagues, including his boardroom chair.
Comment: Bernanke's options kept open
Subtle changes in the wording of the Fed's latest monetary policy statement leaves new chairman, Ben Bernanke, with more wiggle-room than may have been expected. Markets will become very sensitive to incoming data and will look to Bernanke's Capitol Hill…