Governance
Kenya cb suspends eight over missing notes
Eight members of staff at the central bank of Kenya (CBK), including two departmental heads, are under suspension after at least Sh10 million to-be-discarded notes were believed to have escaped the incinerator, The Nation in Nairobi reported this week.
Report says Mauritania's central bank chief sacked
A report by IRIN news.org special to The Daily Star said on Wednesday 28 July that Mauritania's President Maaouiya Ould Taya had sacked the entire economic team of his government the previous Sunday. It was followed by the sacking of the central bank…
Mboweni discusses his future with Mbeki
South African Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni is currently in discussions regarding his future at the SARB, a government spokesman said. Mboweni's current contract is due to expire at the end of next month.
Duisenberg plans visit to Kuala Lumpur
Former European Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg will visit Kuala Lumpur in September to deliver a talk on "The Euro and Asia", to be hosted by ABN AMRO Bank Bhd, the Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Bernama…
Bundesbank introduces new code of conduct
The Deutsche Bundesbank announced this week that it was introducing a code of conduct for members of its executive board. The new rules oblige the eight board members to hold office in a way that is "independent and avoids bias and personal gain."
RBA's McGauchie promoted at Telstra Corp
Donald McGauchie, an external board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia, has been promoted to chairman of Telstra Corp, Australia's largest phone company.
Miner finds $10m diamond in Guinea Republic
A miner in Guinea struck lucky this week when his shovel unearthed a 182-carat diamond estimated to be worth $10 million. The rock is now under armed guard in Guinea's central bank.
Singapore's MAS likely to get new chief soon
Speculation is growing that the handover on 12 August of leadership in Singapore will lead to a change at the helm of the de facto central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Observers are split on two possible candidates to replace current…
Erkki Liikanen takes up post at Bank of Finland
Erkki Liikanen took up the post of the Bank of Finland's new Governor and Chairman of the Board on Monday 12 July. His term of office is seven years, and the same person may assume office for two terms.
New Chief Economist appointed in Iceland
The Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Iceland has appointed Arnor Sighvatsson Chief Economist and Director of the Economics Department, effective from 23 June.
Bank of Canada appoints Special Adviser
The Bank of Canada announced the appointment of Professor Christopher Ragan to the position of Special Adviser during the year 2004-2005 this week. Professor Ragan, whose areas of interest include government debt, inflation, monetary policy, and exchange…
Jordan appoints new deputy governor
During its weekly session on Tuesday 13 July, the Jordanian Cabinet decided to appoint Sharif Faris Abdul Hamid Sharaf as deputy governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) succeeding Saleh Tayeh who had earlier submitted his resignation, the Jordan…
New board game in Argentina aims to beat the IMF
A new board game called 'Eternal Debt' is keeping people in Argentina busy at the moment. The point of the game is to try to beat the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by accumulating the least debt. The game is subtitled 'Who can beat the IMF?' and it…
Khodorkovsky wants Gerashchenko off Yukos board
Former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky plans to request the company shareholders consider dismissing former chairman of the central bank of Russia, Viktor Gerashchenko, from his post of chairman of the company's board of directors, Khodorkovsky's lawyer…
Japan's former economy minister wins seat
Former Japanese economy minister Heizo Takenaka won his first parliamentary election this week and said on Monday 12 July that he aims to get Japan's growth back on track.
Polish finance minister resigns to join IMF
Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka said that Finance Minister Andrzej Raczko was leaving the government for a post at the International Monetary Fund and would be replaced on Wednesday by the economist Miroslaw Gronicki, AFP reported Friday.
Central bank staff may okay job action in Israel
The Bank of Israel labor union will meet next week to officially approve "lengthy strikes," Haaretz reported Friday 16 July. Central bank employees struck for one day last May.
Meyer's book lifts lid on life inside the Fed
Former Federal Reserve governor Laurence Meyer's new book reveals some insights on life inside the Fed. This review says Meyer was advised against saying anything in a speech that might move financial markets. In the book, Meyer writes that Chairman Alan…
SARB's Marcus makes abrupt departure
Gill Marcus, deputy governor of the South African Reserve Bank, left her post on 30 June at the end of her five year contract, in a move local press reports described as unexpected.
Staff audit begins at Central Bank of Nigeria
The central bank of Nigeria (CBN) is embarking on a staff audit exercise aimed at fishing out ghost workers on its payroll, Vanguard reported this week. The exercise will cover serving members of staff and pensioners.
After Greenspan, Who?
Alan Greenspan has just begun another term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, but a number of new hirings suggests a deep pool of potential heirs is being assembled, this article says.
Interview with St Louis Fed's William Poole
In the interview "My goal for inflation is zero" published this week, St Louis Fed President William Poole talks about the central bank's need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to rising prices. He also said he believes that Fannie Mae and Freddie…
Alan Greenspan is the man!
It's no surprise that President George W. Bush has asked Alan Greenspan to re-enlist for a fifth four-year term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, this article says, especially since Bush pledged to do so one year ago. Comparing Greenspan to four other…
Decision on 'Mr Euro' delayed to September
Finance ministers from the 12-country eurozone have deferred until September a decision on creating a "Mr Euro" as the political face of the single currency.