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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.
Inflation concerns for Czech NB
The Czech National Bank (CNB) is worried about the inflation criterion the country must meet before joining the euro, vice-governor Miroslav Singer told delegates at a forum of the Czech Exporters' Association on 10 November.
Japan's Fukui on New Path of Growth
On 11 November Toshihiko Fukui, governor of the Bank of Japan, gave a speech entitled "Toward a New Path of Growth for the Japanese Economy" based on the Bank's October Outlook Report at the Kisaragi-kai meeting in Tokyo.
Shariah guidelines
Comments by delegates attending a conference on Islamic financial services in Luxembourg suggest that Shariah guidelines present a headache for central bankers.
No rates change, recovery "gradual" - BoK's Park
The Bank of Korea (BoK) on Thursday 10 November left its benchmark short-term interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent. The decision was widely expected by market participants, following a 25 basis point increase last month.
Maltese governor talks on country's challenges
In his annual address to the Institute of Financial Services on Thursday 10 November, the governor of the Central Bank of Malta Michael Bonello identified the need to return the economy to a path of faster and sustainable growth as the country's priority…
ECB opposes BoI reform bill
Attempts to reform governance structures at the Bank of Italy (BoI) yesterday received another blow when Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, a member of the ECB's executive board, said the government should amend some of the initiatives proposed in a parliamentary bill.