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BoJ considers purchase of asset-backed securities
Japan's central bank was reported by the Financial Times as saying on Tuesday 8 April that it may take unconventional steps, such as buying securities, to push the nation's economy toward recovery while keeping cash circulating in the financial system.
Inflation fighter named Bank of Canada No. 2
W. Paul Jenkins, a deputy governor at the Bank of Canada who has spoken of the need to maintain central bank credibility on inflation control, was named the central bank's senior deputy on Wednesday.
Serbia's PM attacks central bank
A report by the Tanjug news agency quoted Serbian prime minister Zoran Zivkovic as saying that the National Bank of Serbia does not exist and that central bank president Mladjan Dinkic could be sacked. However, speaking on Serbian TV Dinkic said he was …
Swedish unions fail to support euro entry bid
With Sweden set to vote on the euro in September, the yes camp has suffered a blow, Reuters reports, after a leading union refused to give its backing to the single currency.
Malaysia's central bank governor's term extended
The governor of Malaysia's central bank Datuk Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz has been reappointed for another three year term. The move reinforced confidence of the political leadership in Dr Zeti's stewardship of the central bank, The Star Online quoted sources as…
Brussels forecasts Italy will break deficit rules
According to a report in the Financial times, the European Commission says Italy is likely to break the stability and growth pact's deficit limit of 3 per cent of GDP in 2004.
Ex-BoJ Nakagawa interview: BOJ wary of risky asset
In a recent interview published by Dow Jones Newswires, former Bank of Japan executive director Yukitsugu Nakagawa said that the BoJ wants to buy foreign bonds as part of its efforts to rid the country of deflation. But this move would be opposed by the…
Ferguson on patent policy in a broader context
In a speech on 'Patent Policy in a Broader Context' Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said the U.S. patent process needs to protect intellectual property without stifling innovation, a balancing act that challenges those involved with patent policy.
US plan to e-process checks has critics
A Federal Reserve proposal to allow banks to process checks electronically and substitute a new type of check for traditional paper checks has been endorsed by the banking industry, says Associated Press. But consumer groups say it would increase the…
Report says Irish gov't may switch to e-payments
A report commissioned by the Irish government recommends a move to e-payments which could save €200 million a year. However, according to the Sunday Times, the report highlighted a number of problems which must be overcome before the change can take…
Southern African DC officials meet in Angola
Measures aimed at fighting money laundering were due to be discussed at the Southern African Development Community's meeting in Angola. Central Bank governors will also approve a memorandum on the coordination of exchange control policies in the SADC…
CBN seeks restriction on lending to government
Nigeria's central bank is supporting a Bill which would place further limits on government borrowing from the central bank. According to the Daily Times of Nigeria, CBN Governor Joseph Sanusi said fiscal prudence was vital for the effective conduct of…
Cuban cb wants cooperation with Iran cb
In a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Havana on Friday, president of the central bank of Cuba Francisco Valdez expressed his interest in banking cooperation and the exchange of professional expertise with the Central Bank of Iran, according to an…
Architects compete to design new ECB premises
The ECB has selected 80 architects to submit a design for the bank's new premises. The design must meet "the requirements of a modern central bank in the 21st century serving an enlarged euro area".
ECB chief to stay on while successor found
The weekend meeting of Ecofin in Athens agreed a deal whereby ECB president Wim Duisenberg will stay on until a successor can be named, according to a Reuters report. "I will be president of the European Central Bank up until the day that my duly…
Iraqi central bank looted by residents
A report from Associated Press on the war in Iraq contained details of what was described as looting at the central bank in Baghdad. The looting apparently included the removal of carpets, chairs and other fixtures from the Bank.
Venezuela c bank rejects interest rate demands
Demands from President Hugo Chavez that the central bank of Venezuela reduce interest rates have been rejected, reported Associated Press. A director at the bank said pressure to impose rates would be resisted.
Guess who's coming for dinars?
An article from Bloomberg News says that the Iraqi dinar is in great demand and that coalition success in the war is likely to boost its value considerably. Apparently investors are snapping up the Saddam Hussein decorated notes, with one Pakistan based…
IMF Managing Director Issues Statement on Turkey
Turkey has finally fulfilled the conditions for obtaining its latest loan tranche from the IMF. The letter of intent sets out further reforms aimed at fixing shaky public finances and transforming the state dominated economy into a free market system.
Bollard on financial sector corporate governance
In a speech on 'Corporate Governance in the Financial Sector' Alan Bollard of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand outlined the internationally distinctive way in which the Reserve Bank supervises banks in New Zealand and emphasised that the Reserve Bank…
Paul Jenkins on Canada and the global economy
In a speech on 'Canada and the Global Economy: Trends in Asia and Elsewhere' Paul Jenkins of the Bank of Canada said monetary policy remained stimulative, despite four rate hikes over the last year. "Thus, over time, further reductions in monetary…
Greenspan on market economies and rule of law
In a speech on 'Market Economies and Rule of Law' Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said as the fruits of ever-changing technology play an increasing role in the U.S. economy, the US must strike the right balance in developing legal protections for…
CentralBankNet Monday Special Feature
SPECIAL FEATURE - CentralBankNet presents an exclusive interview with Grigori Marchenko, Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. Mr Marchenko discusses with CentralBankNet the current issues affecting the central bank, including the crisis in Iraq,…
Banks seek redress after clearing system seizes up
A damages row has erupted after a computer failure at the worlds largest forex clearing house left some banks facing heavy losses last month. CLS Bank, which operates the real-time payment system linking the central banks of the seven largest currencies,…