Central Banks
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…
Swinging euro worries Bundesbank chief Welteke
Bundesbank chief Ernst Welteke has said the euro is at around its long-term average, according to RTE News, but that abrupt swings in the exchange rate with the dollar could harm the global economy.
Asian currencies need more flexibility - IMF
IMF Deputy Managing Director Shigemitsu Sugisaki has called on Asia to play its part in adjusting the US trade deficit by allowing greater foreign exchange rate flexibility, according to a Reuters report. "With comfortable reserves and a strong economic…
Buba eyes 400-600 tonne gold sale in new pact
A report says that the Bundesbank is considering selling between 400 and 600 tonnes of gold from late 2004 to 2009, according to Reuters. Bundesbank President Ernst Welteke declined to comment on details of any deal ahead of discussions in the spring…
King: no need for low rates if world recovers
Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has said, according to Reuters, that if the world economy recovers, interest rates will not need to remain as low as they are. "So far we have been keeping rates low to ensure there was sufficient growth in domestic…
Fed's Bernanke sees low U.S. rates until jobs grow
After some false starts the US economy is on track for a sustained recovery, Fed Governor Ben Bernanke said in testimony prepared for delivery to the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday 14 October,according to Reuters. But Bernanke told the panel that…
Hoenig: U.S. economic outlook and monetary policy
In a speech on 'The U.S. Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy' given on 7 October Thomas Hoenig of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said he thinks the US economy will show stronger growth in the second half of this year and next year. Fundamental…
Minehan on the New England Economic Adventure
In a speech on the 'Opening of the New England Economic Adventure' given on 8 October Cathy Minehan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said the Boston Fed has had a lengthy involvement in economic education. For years, we have taken groups on tours of…
G7 message not only about FX - Duisenberg
Speaking on the sidelines of a news conference in Moscow on Monday, ECB President Wim Duisenberg said foreign exchange markets may have misunderstood last month's statement from the G7, Reuters reports. "There was no statement specifically about euro…
BOJ's Hirano sees good chance of recovery lasting
Bank of Japan Assistant Governor Eiji Hirano said on Monday 13 October at a summit meeting in in Singapore that there is a greater chance that recovery can be sustained this time compared to the past two cases. However, he acknowledged that risks of a…
Fitch upgrades China's forex rating outlook
The rating agency Fitch has announced that it has revised the outlook for China's A-minus long-term foreign currency rating to positive from stable, according to AFP. China's official foreign currency reserves have been boosted by a continuing strong…
Deflation, markets remain risks for Japan-Takenaka
Japanese Economics and Finance Minister Heizo Takenaka said on Sunday 12 October that the purpose of foreign exchange intervention was mostly to smooth out yen volatility, according to a report by Reuters. While the economy is recovering it remains…
GCC bankers discuss monetary union in Qatar
The 35th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Central Bank Governors was held in Qatar on Sunday 12 October, reports The Peninsula, to discuss the work of the monetary union technical committee on issues related to the standards of economic…
Bulgarian c bank: Main challenge joining euro zone
Bulgaria's newly appointed central bank governor Ivan Iskrov has said that the main priority for the bank will be preparations for joining the eurozone, according to the Sofia Morning News. Former governor of the Bulgarian National Bank Svetoslav…
Solans on EU enlargement and capital markets
In a speech on 'The enlargement of the EU and the European capital markets' given on 13 October, Eugenio Domingo Solans of the ECB said although a new era of financial development in accession countries is now in full swing, the challenges ahead are…
Is inflation targeting yesterday's success story?
The problem now for the Bank of England, this article in The Independent suggests, is that the achievement of low and stable inflation may have become a little too easy. Inflation targeting may work very well in puncturing a bubble of inflationary…