Monetary Policy
Iraqi central bank to hold conference
The 2nd banking conference organised by Central Bank Of Iraq will begin on Saturday and run for two days.
ECB cuts growth outlook, with ongoing uncertainty
The European Central Bank Thursday slashed its forecasts for growth in coming years, citing the "persistently high degree of uncertainty" as the main reason. The publication of the ECB's monthly report reveals more on the motivation for its recent half…
BOJ buys Y71bn worth of stocks from banks
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) had purchased 71.16 billion yen worth of stocks held by commercial banks as of Tuesday 10 December on a delivery-completed basis, the central bank said in a report released Thursday.
Brazil appoints new central bank chief
Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has appointed former FleetBoston executive Henrique Meirelles to head the nation's central bank, ending weeks of intense speculation.
Ukraine parl't fail to sack c banker amid fighting
Ukrainian Supreme Council (parliament) chairman Volodymyr Lytvyn closed the parliamentary sitting on Thursday because of scuffles in the session hall. Members of parliament were due to vote on the president's request to agree to the dismissal of…
Issing on monetary policy in world of uncertainty
SPEECH - In the speech 'Issing on monetary policy in a world of uncertainty' Otmar Issing of the ECB said that central bankers have to make decisions in a world of uncertainty. But, while the academic profession has made tremendous progress in analysing…
Edward George at European Finance Convention
SPEECH - In a speech to the 16th European Finance Convention Edward George of the Bank of England welcomed the idea of the increasing evolution of the European Union, but with a more "gradual and incremental" approach to integration. He cautioned that…
Federal Reserve Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate unchanged at 1-1/4 percent, 10 December.
Federal Reserve leaves interest rates unchanged
As expected the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged on Tuesday at the FOMC's last meeting of 2002. The press release said the risks are balanced with respect to the prospects for both goals (price stability and sustainable economic growth) for…
Concluding Statement of the IMF Mission to Norway
REPORT - Each year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) assesses the Norwegian economy. During the last few days, a delegation from the IMF has visited Norway to gather information about the economic and financial situation and to discuss economic…
Norges Bank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Norges Bank reduces interest rates, 11 December.
Argentina's new central bank chief
Since the announcement on Monday that Alfonso Prat-Gay will take the helm as Argentina's central bank governor, CentralBankNet has found some little known facts about this new central banker.
Bank of England has doubts on eurozone convergence
With the appointment of a widely seen 'eurosceptic' as the new governor of the Bank of England, the current incumbent Sir Edward George has raised doubts about Britain's economic convergence with the eurozone but stressed the comments were based on …
ECB agrees three-speed voting model
The ECB has addressed the problem of how votes will be allocated in an enlarged euro-zone. Their choice of model has been described as the "least worst" option and will limit the number of voting members to 21.
Poland's central bank pushing for euro adoption
Central bank president Leszek Balcerowicz has said that the adoption of the euro by Poland in the years 2006-2007 would be beneficial, but only if the budget deficit is tackled. The European Commission is apparently discouraging the move in a new, still…
Ukrainian central banker speaks on dismissal plan
INTERVIEW - Last week, parliament refused to dismiss Ukraine's central bank head, Volodymyr Stelmakh, in spite of a request to do so by President Leonid Kuchma. Parliament is expected to vote on Stelmakh's fate again on 12 December. In an interview…
Growth fears push Norway to cut interest rates
Norway's central bank surprised economists and cut interest rates on Wednesday as growth concerns outweighed stubborn wage inflation. Business leaders had called for a cut to kickstart the economy. The Bank's accompanying press release appeared to…
Sweden's former central bank chiefs oppose euro
Following Swedish prime minister Goran Persson's decision to set a date last month for Swedes to vote on the euro, two former central bank governors have come out in opposition to membership of the single currency.
Russian Duma approves monetary policy guidelines
The State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, approved the 2003 monetary policy guidelines at its plenary session on Wednesday.
Japan's Koizumi: Need deflation-fighter at BOJ
INTERVIEW - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Wednesday the nation needs a bold deflation-fighter to lead the central bank when the current governor's term ends in March, underscoring the concerns falling prices continue to eat away at the…
Bell on six months on the MPC
SPEECH - In the speech 'Six Months on the MPC: A Reflection on Monetary Policy' Marian Bell of the Bank of England said Bell described the job of the MPC as a narrow and technical one limited to controlling changes in the overall price level. She said…
Nickell on the picture of european unemployment
SPEECH - In the speech 'A Picture of European Unemployment: Success and Failure' Stephen Nickell of the Bank of England said that although average unemployment in Europe is relatively high compared to OECD countries outside Europe, very high unemployment…
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Genval seminar on the EU accession process, 6 December.
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Review of the quantitative reference value for monetary growth, 5 December.