Monetary Policy
Taiwan surprises markets with first cut in 5 years
The Central Bank of China (Taiwan) unexpectedly cut rates for the first time since 2003 on the back of fears that distressed financial markets could trigger a global slowdown in economic activity.
MPC members signal Bank won't cut just yet
Despite Sir John Gieve's indication earlier this week that he would back a rate cut in the coming months, comments by other members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) signal rates will stay at 5% for the time being.
Norway's Gjedrem: price stability tempers cycle
Monetary policy that is oriented towards stabilising inflation and price expectations will moderate the impact of bubbles and financial crises, said Svein Gjedrem, the governor of the Bank of Norway.
Asia needs tightening
There may not be a meaningful reduction in inflation rates without policy tightening in Asian economies, finds new research from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Banks favour Frankfurt for dollar auctions
Results of the European Central Bank's (ECB) and Bank of England's dollar auctions indicate the Frankfurt-based institution's operations are attracting more bids because of its more lenient collateral rules.
South African inflation hits record high
South African inflation accelerated to 13.6% in the year to August, the highest level since the government began to compile the data in 1998.
Demand for one-month Fed money soars
The results of the latest of the Fed's Term Auction Facility operations signals the extent to which US banks are becoming ever more reluctant to lend to their counterparts.
BoE's Gieve warns of crunch's deflationary impact
Sir John Gieve, the deputy governor responsible for financial stability at the Bank of England, has warned that the Bank must consider the deflationary consequences of the credit crisis.
Bank of England's September minutes
The minutes from the September meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee show most members judged maintaining the current rate necessary to bring inflation back to target.
Finland advocates price-level targeting
A new paper published by the Bank of Finland makes the case for moving to price-level targeting.
RBA's Stevens: monetary policy and booms
The proposition that monetary policy should lean against asset price and credit booms is up for discussion again, said Glenn Stevens, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Draghi: widen scope of monetary policy
Monetary policy should aim at a greater symmetry throughout the cycle and cannot afford to neglect innovations affecting the structure of the financial system, said Mario Draghi, the governor of the Bank of Italy.
Fed holds rates, room for future cuts
The Federal Reserve has defied market expectations for a cut, opting to keep interest rates on hold at Tuesday's monetary policy meeting.
Geithner skips FOMC meeting
Tim Geithner, the president of the New York Fed and the Federal Reserve System's chief crisis manager since the outbreak of the credit crisis, did not attend Tuesday meeting of the Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC). Geithner stayed behind in New York…
Banks scramble for fresh cash offers
For the second day running, central banks have pumped vast amounts of liquidity into overnight money markets, as interbank rates soared following the collapse of Lehman Brothers and heightened uncertainty over the health of the financial sector.
Fed faces crunch call, market now prices in cut
Financial markets have dramatically adjusted expectations of the outcome interest-rate decision to be announced by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) late on Tuesday.
King sees high inflation remaining
Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, expects inflation in the United Kingdom to remain "markedly" above the central bank's target well into next year.
Brazil's Meirelles: tightening will continue
The Central Bank of Brazil is committed to bringing inflation to the 4.5% midpoint of its inflation target during 2009, said Henrique Meirelles, the governor of the central bank in a recent speech.
PBoC cuts to restore confidence
The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has cut its base lending rate and lowered the ratio of funds that banks must set aside as reserves in an effort to shore up confidence in the country's stock and real estate markets.
BoE's Tucker highlights inflation risk
The news on the British economy has got worse and inflation now looks more likely to fall sharply in 2009, but Paul Tucker, the executive director responsible for markets at the Bank of England, signalled Friday that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)…
Peru hikes for 4th-straight month, hints more to c
The Central Bank of Peru on Thursday raised its key rate for the seventh time in 12 months, warning that it would continue to use policy to tame inflation that is now more than triple the central bank's target.
Does the ECB follow the Fed?
New research from Deutsche Bank looks at how closely the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary policy follows that of the Federal Reserve.
King confirms continued support for banks
Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, assured the City of London's beleaguered banks that he would continue to allow them access to funds after the Special Liquidity Scheme closes next month.
New Zealand cuts by half a point
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand on Thursday cut rates by half a point for the first time in almost seven years on evidence the country's economy was now in recession.