Monetary Policy
Sveriges Riksbank holds interest rates steady
The central bank of Sweden, the Sveriges Riksbank, held its repo rate unchanged at 2.75 per cent, 16 October. The risks in the inflation outlook are largely the same as before. However, the probability of lower inflation due to slacker international…
Trichet's successor may face reduced role
Former vice-president of the ECB Christian Noyer could be named as a replacement to Jean-Claude Trichet at the Bank of France, notes the Financial Times, but Herve Hernoun could also take the job as a less political choice. Whatever the case, the new…
PBOC to strengthen cooperation with US Treasury
The People's Bank of China will launch a technical cooperation program with the United States Treasury Department which would facilitate communication and cooperation between financial experts of the two countries, according to a bank spokesperson quoted…
SARB cuts repo rate by 1.5%
With effect from Friday 17 October, reports Business Africa, the South African Reserve Bank will cut its main repo rate to 8.5 percent, Tito Mboweni said at the end of the two-day meeting by the SARB's Monetary Policy Committee on Thursday.
IMF official is named President of New York Fed
Timothy F. Geithner, 42, was named president and chief executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Wednesday 16 October, according to the New York Times. The appointment brings to an end the nine-month search for a replacement for William…
Fed's survey finds recovery in most areas
The Federal Reserve's Beige Book, released on Wednesday 15 October, said "On balance, the pace of economic expansion has picked up since the last report", according to Associated Press. The Current Economic Conditions survey, known as the Beige Book, is…
EU leaders to meet Trichet after ECB confirmation
After his confirmation as President of the European Central Bank, which was due to take place on Thursday 16 October at a two-day summit in Brussels, Jean-Claude Trichet was scheduled to meet EU leaders, according to EU Business. The EU's Italian…
Central Banks and Supreme Courts by C Goodhart
This Working Paper from the Financial Markets Group claims that a significant, large part of the reason for the differing procedures of the legal and monetary policy bodies in the UK, USA, and EU derives from a political science root. How do you deal…
BoE's King on the monetary policy framework
In his first speech as Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King said on 14 October that the present monetary and fiscal frameworks provide a seaworthy policy vessel, but, as all sailors know, fog, especially statistical fog, can be dangerous. So we…
Ferguson: Future of Financial Services--Revisited
In the speech 'The Future of Financial Services--Revisited' given on 8 October Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said the need for Basel II arises because modern risk measurement and management practices, including the increasing ability to…
Bernanke's statement on renomination to the Board
In testimony before the US Senate on 14 October Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said although economic forecasting is far from an exact science, private-sector forecasters broadly agree that the economy should grow at nearly a 4 percent rate in 2004…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, October 2003
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments, October 2003, on 17 October. The foundation for a gradual recovery in Japan's economy is being laid, as the environment for exports and…
Chicago Fed's Moskow upbeat on growth
For a substantial fall in unemployment to occur the US economy must grow above potential for a "significant period of time" Chicago Fed President Michael Moskow said in a television interview Monday, Reuters reported.
Bank of Canada leaves key rate unchanged
The Bank of Canada held interest rates steady on Wednesday at 2.75 percent, the Canadian Press said. Some economists said the rate should fall to cool the rise in the Canadian dollar.
Jarai says talks underway with ECB over ERM II
Hungary's central bank governor Zsigmond Jarai said Tuesday, Interfax reported, that the MNB has begun informal talks with the ECB on Hungary's membership of the ERM II mechanism. The path to the adoption of the euro in 2008, as agreed between the…
EU to confirm Trichet as ECB chief on Thursday
The leaders of the 12 euro countries will "appoint the President of the European Central Bank" on Thursday afternoon at an EU summit in Brussels, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wrote to his EU colleagues Tuesday, EU Business reported.
Bank of Canada statement on interest rate decision
In its statement released 15 October the Bank of Canada said indicators of economic activity and inflation in Canada have evolved broadly in line with the Bank's expectations since the decision to lower rates on 3 September.
France's Mer-ECB rates a powerful tool on FX moves
France's Finance Minister Francis Mer has called ECB interest rates a "powerful lever" that could be used in response to the declining dollar, Reuters said. "It's a powerful lever that can be mobilised in a non-inflationary environment," he said.
Bank of Japan upgrades October assessment
The Bank of Japan raised its assessment of the economy for the second month running Tuesday but warned that a too strong yen could hurt exports, according to Associated Press. "The foundation for a gradual recovery in Japan's economy is being laid, as…
Duisenberg on training contract with Russian cb
At the press conference for the signing of the TACIS "Central Bank Training" contract and of a Protocol between the European Central Bank and the Central Bank of Russia Wim Duisenberg said the Eurosystem hopes to contribute to further strengthening the…
Bollard on Investing in a low inflation world
In a speech on 'Investing in a low inflation world' given on 14 October, Alan Bollard of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand warned that too many New Zealanders are taking higher risks than they realise in the way they borrow and invest. Dr Bollard said that…
Trichet must be decisive on ECB policies
This article in the Financial times says that Jean-Claude Trichet should make tackling the ECB's lack of responsiveness and poor communication his priorities. The test, it says, will be whether Mr Trichet can persuade his colleagues to cut short-term…
Academics agree with Turkish cb chief on ex rate
Turkish academics have agreed with central bank governor Sureyya Serdengecti that a risk to the exchange rate exists in the market posing a significant obstacle to stability, according to the Turkish Daily News.
Serbia to discuss NBS governor election procedure
The ruling Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) council agreed on Friday 10 October, according to the Tanjug news agency, that consideration of the National Bank of Serbia's annual report should include an examination of the procedural issues which were…