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Ex-Thai central bank chief ordered to repay $4.6bn
The former governor of Thailand's central bank, Rerngchai Marakanond, was ordered on Tuesday 2 June to pay back the Bt186bn (US$4.57bn) spent in the futile defence of the currency on the eve of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
You wanna be a central banker? Think again
Following the events in Thailand, this article published Friday 3 June suggests central bank governors around the world probably aren't sleeping well this week. What if this short-sighted, punish-the-central-banker mindset spread to other realms, it asks.
Optimist joins ECB in gloomy times
This article profiles Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, who joined the European Central Bank's executive board on 1 June. All indications suggest that Bini Smaghi, far from rocking the boat, is firmly on board with the ECB's current approach to monetary policy, it…
IMF's Rato pays tribute to James Wolfensohn
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued a statement on Tuesday 31 Maypaying tribute to James D. Wolfensohn, the outgoing President of the World Bank.
IADB president announces his resignation
The president of the Inter-American Development Bank, Enrique V. Iglesias, on Tuesday 31 May informed the IDB Board of Executive Directors that he is resigning his post, effective September 30, 2005.
RBA paper warns on inflation targets
A research paper published by the Reserve Bank of Australia on Thursday 2 June has warned that central banks should not set their inflation targets too low.
Nigeria plans payment system reforms
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said its major priority following the consolidation of the banking industry is to reform the payments system which currently remains largely cash-based.
Dallas Fed chief says tightening cycle may be over
The FOMC may soon end its trend of interest rate increases but inflation remains a risk due to strong U.S. growth, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Richard Fisher said on Wednesday 1 June.
Taya says BOJ may delay bond purchase cut
Japan's central bank may hold off reducing its monthly bond purchases after it cuts the target for reserves available to lenders, according to Teizo Taya, a former policy maker.
Trichet says ECB unanimous that rates appropriate
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said the ECB governing council was 'unanimous' at its meeting Thursday that interest rates remain appropriate.
ECB book on 3rd Central Banking Conference
The European Central Bank on Monday 30 May published a book entitled "The New EU Member States: Convergence and Stability", containing the proceedings of the Third ECB Central Banking Conference, held in Frankfurt am Main on 21 and 22 October 2004.
BIS completes redistribution of shares
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced on Wednesday 1 June the sale to its member central banks of 35,933 BIS shares valued at SDR 468.2 million.
ECB's Financial Stability Review, June 2005
The European Central Bank published its June 2005 Financial Stability Review on 31 May. In the report the ECB said the outlook for financial stability is more mixed than six months ago.
New York Fed's Foreign Exchange Operations Report
The U.S. monetary authorities did not intervene in the foreign exchange markets during the January - March quarter, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its Treasury and Federal Reserve Foreign Exchange Operations quarterly report to the U.S…
Canada's Jenkin's on adapting to global change
In the speech 'Adapting to global change: A Canadian perspective' given on 1 June, Paul Jenkins of the Bank of Canada said the central bank will have to raise interest rates as the economy accelerates this year and next to thwart inflation.
Trichet says ECB to discuss French no vote
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet has said the bank's governing council will discuss the implications of France's rejection of the EU constitution at its meeting on Thursday 2 June.
Riksbank's Heikensten says growth weaker
Sweden's Riksbank governor Lars Heikensten said recent indicators suggest economic activity is slightly weaker than forecast in the central bank's last inflation report in March, so it is important "that all doors are kept open" regarding monetary policy.
Monetary union not under threat - Eichel
German Finance Minister Hans Eichel does not believe the EU monetary union will collapse and is not interfering in the monetary policies of the European Central Bank, a spokesman for Eichel was quoted as saying.
Move to convertible yuan 'gradually, prudently'
China will gradually and prudently move to make its currency, the yuan, convertible, PBOC governor Zhou Xiaochuan said.
SARB has no reserve target - Plenderleith
The South African Reserve Bank plans to keep gradually building its foreign exchange reserves, Deputy Governor Ian Plenderleith said in an interview.
Issing on the euro & financial market integration
In the speech 'The euro and European financial market integration' given on 31 May, Otmar Issing of the ECB said euro zone commercial banks adjust their borrowing and lending rates more quickly in response to central bank interest rate changes than they…
Norway's Bergo on economic outlook
In the speech 'The economic outlook and household debt' given on 27 May Jarle Bergo of Norges Bank said the short-term outlook for financial stability appears to be favourable.
Sweden's Srejber on inflation targeting
Sveriges Riksbank First Deputy Governor Eva Srejber gave a speech on Tuesday 24 May at hman Fondkommission in Stockholm on the subject of inflation targeting and asset prices.
Trichet on financial markets integration in Europe
In the speech 'Financial markets integration in Europe: the ECB's view' given on 26 May, Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said we are at a particularly crucial stage in terms of the regulation of EU securities markets and more in general financial…