Monetary Policy
Albanian rates up by 0.25%
Albania's central bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 5.75% on 28 June. The central bank's governor, Adrian Fullani, said the risk of inflation had grown stronger lately, prompting the central bank's board of directors to act.
Norges Bank raises benchmark rate
In a widely predicted move, Norway's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the eleventh time in two years, moving the deposit rate up by a quarter point to 4.5%.
Brazil extends inflation target of 4.5% to 2009
The National Monetary Council of Brazil has extended the central bank's annual inflation target of 4.5% to 2009, which it says will provide policymakers with the "flexibility" to deal with unexpected price increases.
Slovakia keeps rates steady
All key interest rates were left unchanged by the board of the National Bank of Slovakia at its regular monthly meeting on 26 June.
Bank of Israel leaves rates unchanged
The governor of the Bank of Israel, Stanley Fischer, announced on 25 June that the monetary rate for July 2007 will remain unchanged at 3.5%.
Bank of Mexico keeps interest rate on hold
The Bank of Mexico, the country's central bank, held its overnight lending rate at 7.25% on 22 June, after a larger than expected fall in consumer prices in May.
Tight monetary policy in Sri Lanka pays off
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced on 25 June that rates will remained unchanged at 10.5%. The central bank also published its regular review of monetary policy on 25 June, noting that improvements in the external and monetary sectors of the economy…
"Whitening effect" changes Hungary's thinking
In a surprise move the National Bank of Hungary cut its benchmark interest rate on 25 June. Rates remain the highest in the European Union, despite the 25 basis point cut which took them to 7.75%. It was the first rate change in Hungary since October…
Geithner on lessons from the Asian crisis
That crisis countries had fixed but adjustable pegs, was one of the main lessons Tim Geithner, the president of the New York fed, highlighted ned in a recent speech.
Credit mis-pricing in India creates risks
Mis-pricing of credit risks by domestic bankers can both create systemic vulnerability and have implications for small borrowers, the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Rakesh Mohan, noted yesterday.
Kuwaiti institutions under fire from Parliament
Members of parliament in Kuwait launched a fierce attack on the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), saying that some of their officials were deriving personal benefit from their decisions and investments.
Angola can end this year with 10% inflation: cb
The National Bank of Angola, the country's central bank, has stated its confidence that Angola can end this year with an inflation rate of 10%, while acknowledging that structural difficulties in the economy may get in the way of achieving this…
Provinces press Canadian cb not to raise rates
Ontario was in the forefront of pressure from the Canadian provinces on Bank of Canada governor David Dodge not to raise interest rates.
Polish bank head outvoted over rate rise
The National Bank of Poland's president was on the losing side as the rate-setting committee voted 6-4 for the first rise in interest rate in three years in April, a report released today showed.
Reaction to King's loss of MPC vote
Less of a threat to the governor's credibility and more a sign of what is to come, was the conclusion observers drew from Mervyn King being in the minority at the MPC meeting in June.
Minutes of Polish monetary policy meeting
The minutes set out the committee's reasons for rejecting a quarter-point rate hike at the meeting three weeks ago, in favour maintaining the cost of borrowing at 4.25%.
Taiwan raises rates again
Taiwan's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate - the discount rate on 10-day loans to banks - by a quarter percentage point to 3.125% today.
China cool on IMF policy shift
The People's Bank of China reacted coolly to the change in the International Monetary Fund's currency monitoring policies (see our news item, 19 June).
BoJ to continue gradual rate hikes
The minutes of the May 16-17 board meeting of the Bank of Japan confirmed the view of members that the central bank should continue to raise interest rates gradually, in line with growth and inflation prospects.
Riksbank's Monetary Policy Report
Published the day Sweden's central bank raised rates, the report sets out the Riksbank's thinking behind the rise and its assessment that that the repo rate will need to be around 4% at the end of the year
King outvoted over rates increase again
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England narrowly defeated governor Mervyn King at their policy meeting in June, voting 5-4 to keep the rate unchanged at 5.5%. This was the second time that the governor was on the losing end of an MPC…
Sweden raises key rate - and more to come
Sveriges Riksbank, Sweden's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate on 20 June for the eighth time in 18 months, this time lifting the repurchase rate by a quarter point to 3.5%, the highest level for over four years.
Central Bank of Iceland clears rate confusion
The Central Bank of Iceland has issued a statement in which it "underlined" that its new representation of interest rates implies "no change in policy rates."
Botswana's rates cut to 14.4%
The Bank of Botswana has cut the country's interest rates by 50 basis points to 14.5%, on the improved outlook for inflation.