Monetary Policy
Interview with central bank governor: Yves Mersch
In an interview with Reuters, Yves Mersch of the central bank of Luxembourg said he hopes for a "euroisation" effect with the opening up of EU markets because of the single currency.
Brazil's Meirelles reiterates 8.5% inflation goal
Interest rates "may ease" in Brazil if inflation falls by half, central bank president Henrique Meirelles told journalists after speaking at a seminar in Seville, southern Spain, reports Bloomberg
ECB press conference on Governing Council mtg
At the ECB's post-meeting press conference Thursday Wim Duisenberg said the Governing Council had decided the outlook for price stability over the medium term has improved significantly since the last decision to lower interest rates in March, and as a…
Sweden's Riksbank cuts rates by 0.5%
The Sveriges Riksbank announced on Friday June 6 that it was reducing its repo rate from 3.5 per cent to 3.0 per cent based on the picture of future inflation presented in its Inflation Report and no clear indication of a strengthening in economic…
Sveriges Riksbank Inflation Report, No.2, 2003
Sweden's central bank published its Second Inflation Report for 2003 on 5 June. In the report the Riksbank said CPI inflation is expected to be 1.2 per cent one year ahead and 1.8 per cent two years ahead while the degree of uncertainty in the…
Stewart to be acting CEO of NY Fed
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said on Thursday 5 June that Jamie B. Stewart will act as chief executive officer of the bank as of June 11, while the search for the new president continues. He will also serve as a voting member of the Federal Open…
Book published on ECB's 2nd conference
The European Central Bank (ECB) has published a book entitled "The transformation of the European financial system", containing the proceedings (papers, discussants' comments and summaries of the general discussions) of the Second ECB Central Banking…
Solomon Islands cb chief won't stand for 3rd term
Ric Hou, the governor of the Solomon Islands central bank has said he will not stand for a third term. He called on his successor to ensure the central bank remains independent of government interference.
Working group meets on Russia, Belarus currency
Russia's president Putin met his finance minister on Monday 9 June to discuss the introduction from 2005 of the Russian rouble to Belarus as a single payment unit, according to a report by Pravda.
U.K. Euro Decision: Assessment and Analysis Guide
A report published on Monday 9 June by Bloomberg News provides a concise guide to the UK decision on the euro. It lists the five tests and the 18 separate studies used in the decision process as to whether to call a referendum on adopting the euro in the…
BOJ's Fukui may detail plan to buy corporate debt
Governor of the Bank of Japan Toshihiko Fukui is likely to spell out this week details of a plan to buy corporate debt to make it easier for companies to borrow, according to Bloomberg News.
RBA chief Macfarlane denies conflict with gov't
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Ian Macfarlane said on Sunday 8 June that although there may be differences of opinion between the Treasury and the Bank's board there was no conflict between the RBA and the government, according to The Australian.
UK 'should join euro' when economics are right
The UK chancellor Gordon Brown confirmed on Monday 9 June that only one of the five economic tests had been passed for Britain's entry to the euro. He also set out measures that would increase economic convergence between the UK and eurozone saying he…
More dynamic BOJ sees off media critics
Senior BOJ staff professes themselves pleased with the public relations impact of the more active communications strategy followed since Toshihiko Fukui took over from Hayami-san as governor in March. "Even Yomiuri Shimbun has stopped criticizing us,"…
Danish central bank cuts rates to 2.15%
The Danish central bank has again mirrored the ECB's half point rate cut yesterday by also cutting rates half a percent to 2.15%, according to a Bloomberg report. This is its lowest level in almost two centuries.
Real strengthens as Brazilian cb intervenes
The Brazilian currency, the real, continues to gain as the central bank sells securities, Bloomberg reports. It has outperfomed all major trading currencies this year and gained 22%.
Greenspan found learning a 'troublesome activity'
Alan Greenspan has been providing encouragement to school children, but when they asked whether rates are going up or down he replied smilingly, "Yes", according to a report from This is London.
Afghanistan cb exerts influence over provinces
Leaders in the north of Afghanistan have promised to give full assistance in implementing the central bank's orders, according to a report by the BBC Monitoring Service.
Sound economics help - Dodge speech
David Dodge identifed the Bank of Canada's inflation-targeting regime as a key stablising force for the Canadian economy. He was speaking in Berlin at the to the German-Canadian Business Club.
Euro rises as ECB cuts rates by 0.5%
Slowing inflation has prompted the ECB to at last cut rates by half a percentage point to 2%, after persistent pressure from the markets, Bloomberg reports. The immediate consequence was a rise in the euro.
Smits on Consitutional Position of the ECB
In his inaugural address as Amsterdam University's new professor of law of economic and monetary union, Dr Rene Smits considers the strange legal status of the European Central Bank.
Transformation of the European Financial System
Based on an ECB conference held in October, "Transformation of the European Financial System" examines how the switch to the euro has affected European financial markets.
Sterling also rises as BOE leaves rates on hold
The Bank of England left rates unchanged on Thursday, causing the pound to rise against both the dollar and the euro according to a report by Bloomberg. It was governor Sir Eddie George's last appearance on the MPC.
RBNZ lowers rates to 5.25%
Weak consumer confidence caused the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to cut the official cash rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 5.25%, Reuters reports. Although the cut was expected, some economists had predicted it would be greater.