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Extra six months proposed for Duisenberg at ECB
A report by Belga News quoting official sources says Greece, as the current holders of the EU presidency, will propose that ECB president Wim Duisenberg stays on for another six months in office.
Bundesbank's profits shrink by nearly 50%
The Bundesbank revealed this week that profits for 2002 fell by almost 50%. Gold and currency reserves were shown to have more than halved on the previous year, accordint to a report in the Frankfurther Allgemeine Zeitung.
Serbia, Montenegro appoint National Bank to IMF
Serbia and Montenegro have agreed to appoint the national bank and its governor as fiscal agents with the IMF, says the Tanjung news agency.
IMF condolences over death of Iranian cb governor
Horst Kohler, the managing director of the IMF, has sent a message to Iran's president expressing his sorrow over the sudden death of the governor of the central bank of Iran, Mohsen Nurbakhsh, reports the IRNA news agency
Venezuela's Chavez pushes central bank to cut rate
Venezuela's central bank has apparently been threatened with court action by the president of the country over its reluctance to cut interest rates, according to a Reuters report. The government is struggling to revive the recession-bound economy which…
National Bank of Serbia inflation at 3 yr low
Serbia's central bank has reported that monthly inflation was at a three year low of 0.3 percent and that the annual rate was well within its projection.
Battle over Brazil central bank's autonomy
A battle may develop over the central bank of Brazil's moves towards independence, according to a report by United Press International. The party of President Lula is trying to push through a bill in support of central bank autonomy. But about half the…
Should central banks buy wider range of assets?
An article in the Financial Times on March 28 asks the question many have recently posed. Have central banks run out of ammunition? The fire power in question is of course interest rates as a monetary policy tool. Rates have hit the floor in Japan and…
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, March 03
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand published its quarterly Bulletin for March 2003 on 28 March. The latest issue contains five articles covering a broad range of central banking issues. Articles include 'The output gap and its role in monetary policy…
RBA Payments System Board Annual Report 2002
The Reserve Bank of Australia issued its Payments System Board Annual Report on 28 March. The Report said the Board has embarked on a major reform of card networks that is intended to allow market mechanisms to operate more effectively in the Australian…
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, February 2003
CFNAI Shows Economic Growth Slowed in February - In February, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) fell below zero again after briefly turning positive in January. The monthly index came in at -0.62 in February, following January's upward…
Fed's Olson on the Regulatory Relief Act
In a speech on 'Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2003' Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve endorsed legislation that would make it easier for banks to open branches in other states. The ban on opening new branches gives savings associations an…
IMF Global Financial Stability Report, March 2003
The International Monetary Fund published on 27 March its Global Financial Stability Report, the semiannual assessments of global financial markets. In the report the IM warned that a prolonged war in Iraq could hit global financial markets hard. The…
De La Rue to take over BoE note printing operation
The UK Department of Trade and Industry has cleared bank note printer De La Rue's take over of the Bank of England's banknote printing operation, according to CMP Information.
Dominican central bank chief becomes minister
The president of the Dominican Republic's central bank, Frank Guerrero Pratts, has been appointed foreign minister of the Caribbean nation, according to a report by Associated Press. The previous foreign minister resigned on Wednesday March 26 after…
HKMA Pay Adjustments 2003
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced on Thursday March 27 that the pay adjustments for staff of the HKMA would take effect in April 2003. The changes include a further reduction of just over 5% in fixed pay for Chief Executive Joseph Yam.
ABM lauds Bank Negara monetary measures
Malaysia's Association of Banks has praised measures set out by the central bank governor in the 2002 Annual Report. It said the steps would help maintain growth and support business activity.
Lebanese central bank fighting money laundering
A report issued on Wednesday March 26 says that the central bank of Lebanon is increasing its activities against suspected money launderers, according to a report in the Lebanon Daily Star. Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh is reported to have said in…
Vahhaji takes over as central bank head in Iran
After the sudden death of the governor of the central bank of Iran, Mohsen Nourbakhsh, at the weekend, it has been announced by the Islamic Republic News Agency that the deputy governor will assume the position of interim governor.
Interview with Costa Rica's central bank chief
In an interview reported by Reuters, Costa Rica's central bank president Francisco de Paula Gutierrez said that cutting the country's fiscal deficit was a challenge, but he said he expected Costa Rica would meet a government deficit target of 3 percent…
Bank of Canada appoints Desjardins to its Board
The Bank of Canada has appointed Jean-Guy Desjardins to its Board, according to the Financial Post. He will take up the position immediately.
No Iraqi money in Ukraine - Central Bank
Speaking on Wednesday March 27, Serhiy Tyhypko said that the US call to freeze Iraqi assets would not affect the Ukraine as the country did not hold any Iraqi bank accounts, according to a report by Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.
ECB April rate move unlikely - Welteke
A rate cut is not on the cards, at the moment at least, said Bundesbank chief Ernst Welteke on Wednesday. With the economic impact of the war still far from certain he said it made no sense to take any sort of action, according to a Reuters report.
Bush meets Fed chief to indicate priorities
Fed chairman Alan Greenspan met with George Bush earlier this week to brief the US president on the state of the US economy, according to a report in the Financial Post. The meeting came as Mr Bush prepared to ask Congress for at least US$70-billion to…