Monetary Policy
Fukui-Further enhancing Japan's financial services
In the speech 'Toward the Further Enhancement of Financial Services in Japan' given on 4 November Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan concluded by saying that, as Japan's efforts to enhance financial services bear fruit, I am confident that there will…
Norges Bank Inflation Report, October 2003
Norway's central bank, Norges Bank, has published its latest Inflation Report for October 2003. The report contains a review of developments in the Norwegian economy and other factors that influence the inflation outlook.
Chicago Fed's Moskow on U.S. Economic Outlook
In the speech 'U.S. Economic Outlook' given on 3 November Michael Moskow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said the most recent recession proved the adage that there is no such thing as a "typical recession." Despite some periods of slowing, light…
Restructuring of the ECB's IT function
The European Central Bank has provided further datails on the restructuring of its information technology function, 5 November 2003.
Gono accepts appointment as RBZ Governor
Gideon Gono has been appointed governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe with effect from 1 December, The Harare Herald reported. Gono, a prominent banker, was appointed by President Mugabe and follows last weeks announcement of a planned restructure and…
Bangladesh Bank appoints 3 directors
Three new governors have been appointed to the board of directors of Bangladesh Bank, the New Nation reported. The appointments have been made with "immediate effect" the report said.
Australia's interest rates rise 0.25%
The Reserve Bank of Australia increased interest rates to 5 percent on Wednesday. It was the first time the RBA changed the official cash rate since June 2002, The Age said.
US Treasury's Snow denies weak-dollar policy
US Treasury Secretary John Snow has rejected speculation that Washington is pursuing a weak dollar policy, according to the Japan Times, by encouraging other countries to adopt flexible exchange rate policies.
PBoC approves 4 bank representative offices
The People's Bank of China's vice-governor Liu Tinghuan has said the central bank has approved the applications of four mainland banks to set up representative offices in Taiwan, Xinhua News reported.
SAMA: Saudi economy must pursue reforms
The governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency has warned that the country should develop mechanisms to reduce public debt, MENAFN said, which is estimated at more than $173 billion.
Bonello gets another term
Michael Bonello has been re-appointed for a five year term as Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, the Bank said on Friday. Bonello studied languages and economics at the University of Malta and was a senior official at the United Nations Conference on…
Student threatens to blow up central bank
A Hungarian student has threatened to blow up the National Bank of Hungary, the Courier Mail reported. The threats also included crashing a plane into the parliament building. The unnamed student said the threats were a 'joke' when arrested.
'Lucky' people are those who knew Milton Friedman
Alan Greenspan spoke at last weeks Dallas Fed conference honouring Milton Friedman. The Fed Chairman spoke of 91 year old Friedman and his wife, as Reuters reported it, saying: "If I believed in luck, I would argue that the most lucky people are those of…
Brash reaches National Party summit
Just 15 months after leaving the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, ex-governor Don Brash has just been appointed head of the NZ opposition. Bill English got the boot in a secret ballot after two failed election attempts to oust Helen Clark's Labour Party from…
Chaos as staff go on rampage in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Bank (BB) was in chaos last week after angry staff confronted Governor Fakhruddin Ahmed. The central bank chief was confined to his office for an hour, The Daily Star reported, before employees forcibly entered the governor's office to voice…
PNG central bank goes public on deputy's departure
After a 20 year career with the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Deputy Governor Flora Carruthers suddenly left the bank earlier this month a report has said. After much speculation on the sudden departure, central bank Governor Wilson Kamit took the bold step…
Interview with Sultan Nasser al-Suwaidi of the UAE
Here we present extracts from an interview with Sultan Nasser al-Suwaidi, governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. Educated in the United States as an economist, he is highly regarded among global financial figures. The following…
Backstrom moves to life-insurance role
Former governor of the Sveriges Riksbank, Urban Backstrom, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Skandia Liv. Backstrom said he would work to restore policyholders confidence and takes a fixed salary of 3.3 million kronor in the…
BoC's Dodge on economic education
In the speech 'On Economic Education' given on 3 November David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said given the importance we attach to improving economic and financial literacy in Canada, we will continue to develop educational programs and materials for…
Tumpel-Gugerell: Welcoming the new Member States
In the speech 'Welcoming the new Member States' given on 3 November Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell of the ECB said that the first few years of enlargement will be formative years for the European Union and for its Member States. By completing the accession…
Issing on monetary policy in uncharted territory
In the speech 'Monetary policy in uncharted territory' given on 3 November Otmar Issing of the ECB said theoretical insights and central banking experience are both fundamental components of good monetary policy making, but especially so at the time of…
Dodge Ball: Business elite fete governor
Bank of Canada governor David Dodge was honoured on Monday evening when close to 1,000 people paid tribute to his three decades of public service at a fundraising dinner, Canadian Press reported.
Greenspan 6 Nov speech to discuss U.S. economy
Alan Greenspan will speak on Thursday, Reuters said, in his first extensive remarks since mid-July when he testified before Congress. The Federal Reserve chairman may also face questions on the U.S. economic recovery on Wednesday when he appears before…
ECB chief Trichet stands by 'credible' euro
In his first public comments since becoming president of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet said Monday there is a need to deliver a confidence inspiring and credible single currency, AFP reported. He said Duisenberg's legacy would be…