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Koizumi vs Fukui trumps Bush vs Greenspan
This article published on Wednesday 16 November says that with each passing day, disagreements with the government over when the Bank of Japan should stop flooding the economy with cash seem to intensify.
Comment: Bernanke hits the ground running
While arguing that he will take his time in building the case for an inflation-targetting Fed, Ben Bernanke's remarks during his confirmation hearing yesterday before the US Senate Banking Committee made clear that he remains a proponent of the framework.
Bernanke hawkish on inflation
In his confirmation hearing before the US Sentate Banking Committee, Ben Bernanke expressed some concerns about the current inflation rate in the US.
New currency for Zimbabwe
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has announced that it will introduce a new currency next year. RBZ governor Gideon Gono said the new currency would be unveiled "at a date to be announced".
Duck-soo urges BoK caution
South Korea's finance minister, Han Duck-soo, said on Tuesday 15 November that the Bank of Korea should be "more cautious" in raising interest rates.
EC endorses amended IAS 39
The European Commission (EC) has endorsed the amended version of the International Accounting Standard 39 (IAS 39).
Fed's Olson on US payment systems
At a EU/U.S. Retail Banking Forum Conference in Brussels on November 15, US Federal Reserve governor, Mark W. Olson, offered some insights into the US payments system.
Market drives US payment systems - Fed's Olson
In a speech at the First EU/US Retail Banking Forum Conference in Brussels, US Federal Reserve governor Mark W. Olson said the private and public sectors have contributed to a "more efficient national payments system that facilitates greater commerce and…
IMF central bank governance survey
An IMF survey of governance boards and management structures at central banks by JoAnne Morris and Tonny Lybek identifies "issues to consider when designing the structure, size, and composition of the governing boards and management of a central bank".
'Keep it simple' says Hong Kong's Yam
In a speech at the Global Bond Summit in Hong Kong this week, Joseph Yam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, identified "possible directions to be explored" by the Asian Bond Fund.
US deficits may not require big dollar drop - RBA
A new Reserve Bank of Australia discussion paper suggests that the real exchange rate adjustment required to address the US current account problems may not be as large as is often argued.
Bank of Canada enhances transparency
The Bank of Canada has implemented new measures to enhance the transparency and accountability of its operations.
Modernising central banks
Many central banks around the world are in the process of reviewing their roles and functions. However most of these modernisation programmes are undertaken discreetly. Not all though. CentralBankNet lists some key resources for central bank modernisers.
Comment: Japanese spat threatens recovery
Japanese policymakers face enormous challenges over the coming months as the country's economy edges towards normality. One of the key issues is how to coordinate the need for both fiscal and monetary tightening. Judging by recent developments, the…
New book on International Financial Architecture
Palgrave has published a new book by Carlos M. Pelaez and Carlos A. Pelaez entitled "International Financial Architecture" as part of the Palgrave Texts in Finance and Monetary Economics series.
CBs to buy more gold - Rogoff
Kenneth Rogoff told delegates attending a precious metals conference in Johannesburg that he expects central bank gold sales to be reversed in time.
Norway paper on Monetary policy and asset prices
A recent Bank of Norway working paper investigates whether there is a case for asset prices in interest rates rules within a small econometric model of the Norwegian economy.
Greenspan praises labor flexibility
In a speech prepared for the Bank of Mexico's 80th Anniversary International Conference in Mexico City, departing US Federal Reserve president Alan Greenspan argued that policymakers can promote economic stability by enabling a flexible economic…
CLS data on FX transactions
The CLS (Continuous Linked Settlement) Group on Monday released new data showing that during October 2005, a daily average of 215,016 foreign exchange transactions was completed using their global settlement system.
BoE interest rate challenge gets under way
The sixth annual Bank of England (BoE)/Times Target Two Point Zero Interest Rate Challenge commences on 21 November. The competition asks nearly one thousand school and college students to decide what the UK's official interest rate should be to keep…
Bernanke heads to Capitol Hill
Market participants will have all eyes on Ben Bernanke as he appears before a US Senate committee on Tuesday, 15 November. Bernanke is to appear before the Senate Banking Committee as part of the run-up to him taking over the reins from Alan Greenspan as…
SARB's Mboweni on the rand
Governor Tito Mboweni yesterday said the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) favoured a "competitive" exchange rate. The country's mining and manufacturing sectors have struggled to adapt to an appreciating rand, since the currency rallied from historical…
Comment: Unresolved collateral issues remain
The news that the ECB will only accept sovereign debt with an A- rating or higher as collateral for repurchase agreements and other collateral financing trades with commercial banks will help to instil fiscal discipline on member countries in the long…
New central banking appointments
A number of new appointments in key central banking positions were announced last week.