Monetary Policy
Greenspan says Basel II would strengthen US banks
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said that implementing the new Basel II global banking rules would make U.S. banks stronger and safer, and were unlikely to harm their competitiveness.
6th Islamic Financial Services meeting starts
The 6th meeting of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) began in Tehran Tuesday 5 April under the chairmanship of the governor of the Iranian central bank Ibrahim Shibani.
Fed's Bies on the Bank Secrecy Act and Basel II
In the speech 'Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Bank Secrecy Act, and Capital Issues' given on 31 March Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said U.S. regulators are very sensitive to the competitive implications of having two sets of rules for the…
Muto on Japan's payment and settlement systems
In the speech 'Japan's payment and settlement systems and the Bank of Japan' given on 3 December (published 24 March) Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said generally, reform of payment and settlement systems in any country does not happen until it…
Statement by IMF's Rato on death of the Pope
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued a statement on Sunday 3 April on the death of Pope John Paul II.
IMF hosts farewell lunch for James Wolfensohn
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) hosted a luncheon on 29 March to bid farewell to James D. Wolfensohn, who steps down on 31 May after serving two terms as President of the World Bank.
Fed's Poole: How should the Fed communicate?
In the speech 'How should the Fed communicate?' given on 2 April William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said U.S. growth is strong and the Federal Reserve must ensure it confronts the risk of higher inflation.
Bundesbank opposed to IMF gold sale
The Bundesbank said Monday 4 April it firmly opposed the idea that the International Monetary Fund sell some of its gold reserves.
Boston's Minehan expects relatively strong growth
Boston Fed chief Cathy Minehan said Friday 1 April the United States should experience healthy growth in 2005 with inflation well-behaved, although there are some risks to the outlook.
Chicago's Moskow says inflation well contained
U.S. inflation is still "well contained" according to Chicago Federal Reserve President Michael Moskow despite anecdotal evidence of increased pricing pressures, said on Friday 1 April.
Bush nominates Bernanke as Economic Adviser
US President Bush will nominate Federal Reserve Governor Ben Bernanke to be chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, the White House said Friday 1 April.
Fed's Kohn, Santomero debate inflation targeting
The Federal Reserve remains split over setting an explicit inflation target for the U.S., leaving it an open question for the next chairman of the Federal Reserve to resolve, Fed policy makers told a weekend conference at Princeton University on Saturday…
IMF names Saleh Nsouli director of Europe office
Anne Krueger, Acting Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), named Saleh Nsouli as Director of the IMF's Offices in Europe on Monday.
Interview with World Bank's, Wolfowitz
In an interview published this week, before Paul Wolfowitz was confirmed as World Bank President, he says he believes deeply in the mission of the bank. Reducing poverty and promoting economic development are important things we need to do to leave our…
Interview with Central Bank of Cuba's Soberon
Cuba's central bank president Francisco Soberon said in an interview published this week that he was optimistic about recent moves to strengthen both the Cuban peso and the convertible Cuban peso. He also said the Cuban economy registered its first…
De-nationalizing the ECB's executive board
The European Central Bank's chief economist, Otmar Issing, is not scheduled to retire until May 2006. The only certainty about his successor at the moment is that he or she will be a German, according to this article. Current practice is blatantly unfair…
Richmond Fed launches redesigned website
The Richmond Fed has redesigned its website. The revisions to the site incorporate a fresh and updated look, the bank said, while improving the site's usability and better integrating information.
Interview with ECB's Papademos
In an interview published this week, European Central Bank vice-president Lucas Papademos said the weakening of the EU stability and growth pact's rules on cutting deficits would increase the chances of an ECB interest rate hike if it led to a weakening…
Iran's Khatami reappoints central bank governor
President Mohammad Khatami, in a decree issued on Monday 28 March, reconfirmed Ebrahim Sheybani as the governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Iranian news agency IRNA reported this week.
Bundesbank rejects claims of missed staff targets
The Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, has refuted newspaper reports this week stating that it will miss its planned staff reduction targets by a significant amount.
Woman takes charge of China's State forex office
China has appointed a woman as the new director of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Hu Xiaolian was formerly an assistant governor of the People's Bank of China.
Norway's Bergo on the economic outlook
In a speech on 'The economic outlook' given on 31 March, Jarle Bergo of Norges Bank said the economy is showing solid growth without visible signs of accelerating wage and price inflation.
Sweden's Executive Board to visit Jamtland
The Executive Board of the Sveriges Riksbank will visit Jamtland county on 7-8 April. The Board said it would hold a meeting in stersund and make some study visits in the region. The meeting is one of several held outside Stockholm in recent years.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bulletin, Mar 2005
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has published the March 2005 issue of its Bulletin. The first article discusses the issues around foreign exchange market dysfunction and the rationale for holding reserves. It sets out the framework that the Bank used to…