Monetary Policy
Bank of England holds interest rates steady
As most analysts predicted, the Bank of England held interest rates steady at 3.75 on Thursday 10 April amid continuing uncertainty, reports the Financial Times.
Outlook clouded but inflation to ease: ECB
Even though the war in Iraq has increased uncertainty somewhat the European Central Bank said on Thursday in its monthly bulletin that it expected inflation to drop back below its 2 percent target this year, according to Reuters.
ECB should tolerate higher inflation - IMF report
The IMF's semi-annual World Economic Outlook report released on Wednesday 9 April urged the ECB to loosen its inflation target slightly to help stave off the threat of deflation for weaker eurozone economies such as Germany, according to Reuters.
Inside the Central Bank of Iraq
A website ArchNet, intended for architects interested in the Islamic world, contains photographs of the Central Bank of Iraq. The site says "The bank is housed in a cubical building with few exterior openings, and is organised around an inner courtyard…
Court to rule on euro symbol ownership
A court was due to rule on Thursday April 10 whether the ECB owns the "€" symbol representing the euro, reports Business & Finance. British company Travelex claimed the use of the logo was a blatant rip off of its own logo, which it has used since 1989.
Ferguson on patent policy in a broader context
In a speech on 'Patent Policy in a Broader Context' Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said the U.S. patent process needs to protect intellectual property without stifling innovation, a balancing act that challenges those involved with patent policy.
Ex-BoJ Nakagawa interview: BOJ wary of risky asset
In a recent interview published by Dow Jones Newswires, former Bank of Japan executive director Yukitsugu Nakagawa said that the BoJ wants to buy foreign bonds as part of its efforts to rid the country of deflation. But this move would be opposed by the…
Brussels forecasts Italy will break deficit rules
According to a report in the Financial times, the European Commission says Italy is likely to break the stability and growth pact's deficit limit of 3 per cent of GDP in 2004.
Malaysia's central bank governor's term extended
The governor of Malaysia's central bank Datuk Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz has been reappointed for another three year term. The move reinforced confidence of the political leadership in Dr Zeti's stewardship of the central bank, The Star Online quoted sources as…
Swedish unions fail to support euro entry bid
With Sweden set to vote on the euro in September, the yes camp has suffered a blow, Reuters reports, after a leading union refused to give its backing to the single currency.
Serbia's PM attacks central bank
A report by the Tanjug news agency quoted Serbian prime minister Zoran Zivkovic as saying that the National Bank of Serbia does not exist and that central bank president Mladjan Dinkic could be sacked. However, speaking on Serbian TV Dinkic said he was …
Inflation fighter named Bank of Canada No. 2
W. Paul Jenkins, a deputy governor at the Bank of Canada who has spoken of the need to maintain central bank credibility on inflation control, was named the central bank's senior deputy on Wednesday.
Fed plans emergency economic rescue
With new fears of recession the Federal Reserve may be formulating an emergency economic rescue plan, accordintg to a report by Associated Press. The plan could involve three elements including lending massive amounts of money directly to commercial…
Bank of Japan monetary policy meeting release
At its monetary policy meeting held on 8 April the Bank of Japan said continued uncertainty and geopolitical risks meant the Bank would provide liquidity when necessary to secure financial market stability.
Bank of Japan statement on securities purchase
Examination of Possible Purchase of Asset-Backed Securities by the Bank of Japan, 8 April.
EC report casts doubt on eurozone benefits
The European Commission's spring forecast published on Tuesday 8 April said growth rates in euro member countries was lower than for EU members outside the single currency, the Financial Times reported.
Nickell on poverty and worklessness in Britain
In a speech on 'Poverty and Worklessness in Britain' Stephen Nickell of the Bank of England said the economic forces underlying the increase in poverty in the UK are the significant shift in demand against the unskilled which has outpaced the shift in…
Budget: UK euro decision date set for June
In his annual budget address on Wednesday 9 April UK chancellor Gordon Brown said that the decision on whether Britain had passed the five euro entry tests would be made public by the first week of June, according to Reuters. He also praised the Bank of…
Hamalainen on the euro: making progress
In a speech on 'The euro: making progress' Sirkka Hamalainen of the European Central Bank said the euro has lived up to expectations and has delivered the internal price and financial stability that it was supposed to. On the indirect effects of the euro…
Bank of Canada appoints Jenkins
The Bank of Canada announced the appointment of Paul Jenkins as Senior Deputy Governor in a press release, 9 April.
CentralBankNet Monday Special Feature
SPECIAL FEATURE - CentralBankNet presents an exclusive interview with Grigori Marchenko, Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. Mr Marchenko discusses with CentralBankNet the current issues affecting the central bank, including the crisis in Iraq,…
Greenspan on market economies and rule of law
In a speech on 'Market Economies and Rule of Law' Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve said as the fruits of ever-changing technology play an increasing role in the U.S. economy, the US must strike the right balance in developing legal protections for…
Paul Jenkins on Canada and the global economy
In a speech on 'Canada and the Global Economy: Trends in Asia and Elsewhere' Paul Jenkins of the Bank of Canada said monetary policy remained stimulative, despite four rate hikes over the last year. "Thus, over time, further reductions in monetary…
Guess who's coming for dinars?
An article from Bloomberg News says that the Iraqi dinar is in great demand and that coalition success in the war is likely to boost its value considerably. Apparently investors are snapping up the Saddam Hussein decorated notes, with one Pakistan based…