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RBI faces tough issues to resolve the 'trilemma'
This article looks at a school of thought which believes that the Reserve Bank of India has failed to find out an inflexion point for short-term rates. The result, it says, is an unabated inflow of capital and excess of rupee-liquidity in the inter-bank…
Venezuela's central bank under pressure
This article looks at the position of the central bank of Venezuela (BCV) following calls from President Hugo Chavez to hand over $1 billion from its reserves. Chavez has called it 'absurd' and 'crazy' for the reserves just to sit in the bank, and…
Fazio's address to the Euro-Mediterranean seminar
In his welcoming address to the Eurosystem and Mediterranean Central Banks Euro-Mediterranean seminar, Antonio Fazio said the talents that the central banks have brought to the European system is founded on autonomy and independence, sometimes carefully…
As euro soars ECB must be ready to cut - Rogoff
The euro could strengthen to $1.40 or beyond and the European Central Bank must be prepared to cut interest rates in response, former IMF chief economist Kenneth Rogoff was quoted as saying.
Rapid yen moves will be acted on - Tanigaki
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said at the weekend that Japan will keep acting against rapid and speculative moves in foreign exchange markets.
Bank cards get OK for Hong Kong use
Mainland-based banks have got agreement from the People's Bank of China to expand their bank card business in Hong Kong, even though overseas banks are still banned from issuing bank cards on the Chinese mainland.
Pakistan plans to open ATM service in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's banking sector will move over the next few weeks from comprising just six rundown specialist banks to one where several international commercial operations compete for business, according to Afghanistan's central bank chief.
Bank of Italy responds to Parmalat criticism
Italy's central bank mounted a fight back at the weekend following government accusations that it had neglected its regulatory duties and ignored warnings over the Parmalat fraud.
Bahrain plans new central bank to replace BMA
Ministers suggested at a Cabinet meeting that a new law should organise a Bahrain central bank and monetary firms to replace the BMA.
Austria's Liebscher gold agreement to be renewed
Austria's central bank head was quoted on Monday 19 January as saying that European central banks are set to renew the so-called Washington Agreement on gold which limits sales.
Mundell proposes $1.30 ceiling on euro
Nobel-prize winning economist Robert Mundell was quoted on Monday 19 January as saying Group of Seven rich nations should intervene to halt a euro rise beyond $1.30.
Japan raises view on economy
Japan raised its assessment of its economy on Monday 19 January, saying strong exports are boosting output and beginning to filter through to consumption.
Broaddus on US economic outlook for 2004
In a speech on 'The Economic Outlook for 2004' given on 16 January, J. Alfred Broaddus of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said he thought the U.S. economy would outpace consensus forecasts for 4 percent growth in 2004 and inflation would stay "under…
BoE's Fisher on E-Commerce and the FX Market
In a speech on 'E-Commerce and the FX Market - Have the Promises Been Met?' given on 19 January, Paul Fisher of the Bank of England said CLS provides a major milestone in risk reduction in the foreign exchange market, this initiative is fast becoming a…
HKMA's Yam on issues in monetary policy
In a speech on 'Issues in Monetary Policy' given on 19 January, Joseph Yam of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said that the HKMA had no concerns about the recent strengthening of the Hong Kong dollar.
Central banks in 2004
Following years of growth the number of central banks, and the number of staff they employ now looks set to fall, according to research carried out for the 2004 edition of Central Banking Publications' Central Bank Directory.
Bank of Italy criticised on Parmalat case
Italian economy minister Giulio Tremonti said on Thursday 15 January that the Bank of Italy had failed to respond to signals that something was wrong at Parmalat, now involved in one of Europe's biggest financial scandals.
ECB's Issing is concerned by strong euro
The European Central Bank's chief economist Otmar Issing said on Friday 16 January that he was "concerned" about the impact of the strong euro.
Dutch won't back EU budget case
Dutch Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm has said that his government will not support the European Commission's legal action to enforce the EU stability pact.
Dollar not hurting US economy- Atlanta's Guynn
Atlanta Federal Reserve President Jack Guynn said on Thursday 15 January that the US dollar's decline had been controlled and was not hitting the American economy.
No inflation threat in US- Fed's Hoenig
President Thomas Hoenig of the Kansas City Fed spoke optimistically on Thursday 15 January about U.S. economic growth this year and said inflation would be kept under control by the slack in the labour market.
Fed's McTeer : if growth continues jobs will come
Robert McTeer, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, said on Thursday e15 January that mployment growth has been disappointing but should rebound as long as the economy keeps growing at a healthy pace.
IIF says IMF breaking rules on Argentina
The International Monetary Fund has come under fire from the Institute of International Finance who accuse it of breaking its own rules by lending money to Argentina.
ECB announces results of Eurosystem consultation
The ECB released the result of the public consultation on measures to improve the collateral framework of the Eurosystem on 15 January.