Monetary Policy
Wellink on prospects for the European economy
In a speech on 'Prospects for the European economy' given on 27 January, Nout Wellink of De Nederlandsche Bank said he was optimistic about the prospects for the European economy.
RBNZ prepared to constrain asset bubbles
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand revealed on Friday 30 January that in rare circumstance it is prepared to adjust monetary policy to constrain extreme asset price bubbles, whereas normally the Reserve Bank is only required to ensure consumer price…
RBNZ's Bollard on asset prices and monetary policy
In a speech on 'Asset prices and Monetary Policy' given on 30 January, Alan Bollard of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand said he would be willing to use monetary policy "to constrain extreme asset price bubbles," but that the current situation with housing…
Court rejects Bank of Israel's petition
The Bank of Israel suffered a setback on Sunday 1 February when the High Court of Justice refused to block treasury intervention in the central bank's wages policy.
Spain has 'very good' candidates to replace Solans
Spain can offer "very good candidates" to replace European Central Bank executive board member Eugenio Domingo Solans when his mandate ends on May 31, said Economy Minister Rodrigo Rato this week.
Trichet nose his skiing
Attending a summit in London this week ECB boss Jean-Claude Trichet stood out from the crowd with what was described as a large plaster on his nose.
Fazio could faces job loss in shake-up
The Italian Government is apparently seeking to vary the appointment terms of the Governor of the Bank of Italy, currently Antonio Fazio, in a move that would force him to step down.
Brash speech criticised by Maori MP
Former Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Don Brash, now leader of the National Party, has been criticised by Georgina te Heuheu, the party's only Maori MP, for a speech she described as "Maori bashing".
Howard Dean calls Greenspan a political burden
US Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean said on Friday 23 January that Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan had become too political and should be replaced.
Kazakhstan appoints new central bank chief
Kazakhstan's parliament on Monday 26 January approved Anvar Saidenov, 43, as the new head of the former Soviet Republic's central bank.
RBA's Macfarlane awarded top Australia Day honour
Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia Ian Macfarlane was awarded Australia's highest honour this week in a list published each year on Australia Day.
Bank of Israel ranks No.1 on pay increases
For the fourth year in a row the Bank of Israel topped a list of government bodies with overpaid employees, according to the Finance Ministry's Wage Report for 2002.
IMF deputy Sugisaki returns to Japan
IMF deputy managing director Shigemitsu Sugisaki, 62, is leaving his post. He was joined at a farewell dinner in Washington by some former colleagues, including Stanley Fischer.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, December 2003
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) December 2003 was published on 29 January. The December CFNAI was +0.13 in December, the fourth consecutive positive monthly reading.
Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee
The Federal Reserve on 29 January released the minutes of its FOMC meeting of 9 December. The minutes showed "a number" of members of the Committee felt that deleting a pledge to keep rates low "for a considerable period" would enhance the FOMC's…
BoE's Tucker on risk uncertainty
In a speech on 'Risk Uncertainty and Monetary Policy Regimes' given on 29 January, Paul Tucker of the Bank of England explores how option prices can shed light on the risks in the current financial environment, including uncertainty about the expected…
'The monetary policy of the ECB': 2nd edition
The European Central Bank published the second edition of "The monetary policy of the ECB" on 30 January. The publication aims to provide the public with a comprehensive overview of the ECB's monetary policy and its economic and institutional background.
BOJ's Muto says weak dollar behind easing
Deputy Governor of the Bank of Japan Toshiro Muto said on Friday 30 January that the BOJ needed to pay attention to the effects of a weak dollar and that those effects were in mind when it decided to further ease monetary policy recently.
Japan's deflation improving, not ending: Fukui
Japan's deflationary trend is easing but there no sign exists yet of it ending entirely, Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Friday 30 January.
Israel's Klein may take Treasury to court
The Bank of Israel is expected to file a petition with the High Court on Friday against Finance Ministry Wages Director Yuval Rachlevksy, claiming he has no authority to meddle in wage decisions at the central bank.
Solbes warns on rising euro danger
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes said on Friday 30 January that the continued appreciation of the euro could affect business confidence in the eurozone.
Brazil's Copom held rates over inflation fears
Brazil's monetary policy committee (Copom) minutes said that a majority of members decided to leave rates unchanged last week fearing that the inflation hike could go beyond January.
FOMC holds rates, says 'it can be patient'
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Wednesday 28 January to keep its target for the federal funds rate at 1 percent. The FOMC stated that it believed "it can be patient in removing its policy accommodation".
Sveriges Riksbank Economic Review 4th Quarter 2003
The Sveriges Riksbank has published its Economic Review for the 4th Quarter 2003. The Review includes articles "Crisis exercises make for crisis readiness," "Payment system efficiency and pro-competitive regulation" and asks "Is 'wage drift' a problem?".