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RBI launches new trading system
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to launch electronic anonymous screen-based trading in government securities on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS).
Japanese buy up record US bonds
Japanese investors bought a record amount of foreign bonds last week, Reuters said. Data released on Thursday 12 August showed Japanese investors bought a net 1.859 trillion yen ($16.8 billion) of foreign bonds in the week of Aug. 2-6, in the run-up to…
IMF optimistic on Japanese economy
The International Monetary Fund upgraded its economic outlook for Japan on Wednesday 11 Augustand said it expects price deflation there to end next year.
BOK makes unexpected cut in interest rate
The Bank of Korea unexpectedly cut its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point on Thursday 12 August to give a spur to the lacklustre economy.
Canada's new banknotes to be issued in autumn
The Bank of Canada plans to issue a new $50 note, the final banknote in the Canadian Journey series, on 17 November. Before that the bank expects to put the new $20 note into circulation beginning late September.
Global currency answer to unstable world economy
This article asks whether floating exchange rates have proved to be the ideal replacement for the unsustainable adjustable exchange-rate pegs of the Bretton Woods monetary regime. If the global market economy is to thrive in the decades ahead, a global…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, August 2004
The Bank of Japan released the English version of its August 2004 monthly report on 12 August. In the report the bank said Japan's economy continues to recover, adding that the upturn will likely gather "stronger momentum."
ECB Monthly Bulletin, August 2004
The European Central Bank published its August 2004 Monthly Bulletin on 12 August. In the Bulletin the ECB said rising oil prices may hurt the economy in the 12 eurozone nations and keep inflation above the bank's limit into early next year.
RBA Conference: The future of inflation targeting
The Reserve Bank of Australia has published the papers presented at its 2004 Conference "The future of inflation targeting" held 9-10 August. Papers include 'Can central bank transparency go too far?,' 'Inflation measurement for central bankers', and …
Monthly reports to increase transparency-Argentina
Argentine banks are now required to submit a monthly report to the central bank outlining their costs, interest rates and other indicators, local press reported.
Norway leaves interest rates unchanged
Norway's central bank said on Wednesday 11 August that key interest rates may stay low for longer than it had forecast after keeping its key deposit rate unchanged at 1.75 percent.
PBOC reports money supply growth slowdown
Money supply and credit loans growth rates dropped in July as a result of the government's effective macro-economic control policy, China's central bank said on Wednesday 11 August in its monthly report on financial performance.
Polish central banker Rybinski warns on rates
Deputy governor of the National Bank of Poland Krzysztof Rybinski said on Wednesday 11 August that the central bank may have to be more aggressive in raising interest rates to contain inflation.
Bank of England forecasts falling inflation
The Bank of England published its August 2004 Inflation Report on 11 August. According to the report UK inflation will hit its 2% target in two years, as long as interest rates rise in line with the gradual upward path the market currently expects.
RBNZ's Bollard on supervising overseas-owned banks
In a speech on 'Supervising overseas-owned banks: New Zealand's experience' given on 11 August, Alan Bollard of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said the Reserve Bank is "seeking to reinvigorate the regulatory arrangements for New Zealand's banking system…
Fed sees stronger pick up in growth
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 10 August to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 1-1/2 percent. In its press release the FOMC maintained its stance that policy accommodation could be removed at a…
Are there too many yes men on the MPC?
This article reports that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has remained significantly more consensual than their predecessors, with an average "maverick rating" of just under three compared with nearly five among previous members. This…
Brazil's Cavalheiro on regulation and Basel II
In a speech on 'Regulation of capital and financial stability' given on 12 July, Paulo Sergio Cavalheiro of the Central Bank of Brazil said supervisors still have a lot of work to be done in order to implement Basel II. The next steps include the…
Guan on Singapore's economy and financial sector
In a speech on 'Review of Singapore's economy and financial sector' given on 21 July, Koh Yong Guan of the Monetary Authority of Singapore said the MAS continues to be focused on supporting non-inflationary economic growth, developing the financial…
Fofana on Sierra Leone's post-conflict economy
In a speech on 'Managing Sierra Leone's post-conflict economy' given on 12 July, Mohamed Fofana of the Bank of Sierra Leone said that there is a need to ensure that West African countries stay the course in their commitment to achieve economic…
Nigeria's Soludo on consolidating banking industry
In a speech on 'Consolidating the Nigerian banking industry to meet the development challenges of the 21st century' given on 6 July, Charles Soludo of the Central Bank of Nigeria said the Central Bank will collaborate with other institutions - the NDIC,…
Fed expected to lift US interest rates
The Federal Reserve was expected to raise interest rates on Tuesday 10 August for the second time this year, despite weak US employment growth statistics.
Argentina to honour IMF debts
Argentina will honour its multi-billion dollar debts to the IMF to the end of the year despite an impasse in loan negotiations, Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez said Monday.
Fukui says BOJ watching oil price impact
Toshihiko Fukui told a news conference on Tuesday 10 August that the Bank of Japan is closely watching the impact of record high oil prices on the Japanese economy.