Monetary Policy
ECB Monthly Bulletin, January 2003
REPORT - The European Central Bank published its January 2003 Monthly Bulletin on 23 January. In the bulletin the ECB reported that the outlook for economic activity in the euro area has remained broadly unchanged since early December 2002 and economic…
BIS Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Roger W Ferguson Jr appointed Chairman of the Committee on the Global Financial System, 23 January.
Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Report, November 2002
REPORT - The Bundesbank said in its monthly report that at present, economic activity is still too weak to relieve the labour market. What is mainly lacking at present, the report says, is some kind of positive outlook which, as experience shows, is…
RBNZ Bollard says rates may fall as currency rises
New Zealand's central bank chief Alan Bollard said on Thursday he may cut interest rates this year because a rising New Zealand dollar is slowing consumer spending and inflation.
BOJ maintains static view of economy
The Bank of Japan has maintained its assessment of the economy for the second straight month in January but warned of risks from weak private consumption as well as flat exports and output.
Takenaka says govt, BOJ should share policy goal
Japanese Economics and Financial Services Minister Heizo Takenaka on Thursday called on the Bank of Japan to foster more growth in money supply and said the government and central bank should share a policy goal.
Brazil raises interest rates in surprise move
Brazil's central bank surprised financial markets yesterday with an increase of its prime lending rate by 0.5 percentage points to 25.5 per cent, showing its intention to implement tough inflation controls. Only two weeks ago central bank chief Henrique…
ECB sticks with growth forecast in monthly report
The European Central Bank sounded a dovish note in its monthly bulletin on Thursday but economists cautioned against building expectations of another rate cut very soon.
Indian banks in a fix over 'no staples' policy
The Reserve Bank of India's recent decision to do away with stapling of new currency notes to increase the longevity of the notes has come under fire.
BOJ under pressure to target inflation
ARTICLE - As Hayami's term is about to come to an end speculation not only mounts as to his successor but whether the Bank of Japan should introduce an inflation target under the new leadership.
The folly of inflation targets
ARTICLE - This article says that the Bank of Japan should explain what it is intending to do to end deflation and that this will be the first step in defending its threatened independence.
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee Minutes
MINUTES - Minutes of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee Meeting released on 22 January for the meeting of 8 and 9 January 2003. The same pattern of voting was seen at this meeting as in the previous two meetings. The nine MPC members voted…
Bank of Japan Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Announcement of the Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting decisions (unchanged), 22 January.
Gjedrem on Norway's changing economy
SPEECH - In the speech 'Norway's changing economy' Svein Gjedrem of Norges Bank said history shows that low unemployment cannot ultimately be achieved through high inflation. A monetary policy that contributes to inflation does not create higher economic…
Norges Bank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Norges Bank reduces interest rates, 22 January.
Hamalainen on how the ECB manages the euro
SPEECH - In the speech 'How the European Central Bank manages the euro and what is in store for 2003' Sirkka Hamalainen of the European Central Bank expressed concern over the widely-held perception that monetary policy can solve very different stability…
Norges Bank Press Conference
PRESS CONFERENCE - Norges Bank's Executive Board decided today to reduce the key rate, the sight deposit rate, by 0.5 percentage point with effect from Thursday, 23 January.
Norges Bank reduces interest rates again
Norway's central bank cut its key interest rates by 50 basis points as expected on Wednesday and signalled more cuts were likely to dampen the effects of a global downturn on the oil-backed economy.
The governor's performance hits a new low
ARTICLE - An article published in the Jerusalem Post on Tuesday criticised Bank of Israel governor David Klein for apparently laying the blame for Israel's 6.5 percent inflation rate on the government.
Koizumi calls for more 'effective' monetary policy
Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's prime minister, on Wednesday called on the Bank of Japan to adopt a more "effective" monetary policy but the central bank ignored his call, leaving its policy unchanged in a unanimous decision.
Fisher seen as likely next New York Fed Chief
Although the search to fill the important shoes of New York Federal Reserve Bank President William McDonough has only just begun, it seems that the US Treasury's Peter Fisher has emerged as a clear front-runner.
UK rate setters worry about global economy
The stalemate within the Bank of England's monetary policy committee continued this month, with two members voting for a rate cut at a fourth consecutive meeting, and some expressing concern about the global economy.
France threatens to ignore deficit cut warning
France on Tuesday defied the European Union's economic rules by suggesting it may not abide by an official order from the other governments to reduce its deficit sharply in the next four years. One finance minister said France's threat not to comply with…
Venezuelan central bank suspends trading
Venezuela's central bank suspended its foreign exchange trading for a week starting Wednesday to try to keep the country's currency, the bolivar, from further plummeting in the fallout of a 52-day-old strike that has crippled oil exports.