Monetary Policy
Howard calls on RBA to focus on growth
John Howard, the Australian prime minister preparing for an election in November, put pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia to maintain economic growth.
Does monetary policy impact banking spreads?
The nominalisation of interest rates has led to a breakdown in the relationship between banking spreads and monetary policy in Chile, argues a paper from the central bank.
Turkey lowers rates for second consecutive month
The Central Bank of Turkey slashed its benchmark rate by 50 basis points following September's surprise quarter-point cut.
Minutes show BoE board split on rate decision
David Blanchflower, a member of the monetary policy committee at the Bank of England, called for a rate cut at October's meeting, the minutes published on Wednesday reveal.
Canada keeps rates at 4.5%
The Bank of Canada said on Tuesday that it would hold its target for the overnight rate at 4.5%.
September's cut has helped markets, says Bernanke
Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, said that September's 50-basis point cut has alleviated the credit crunch.
China hikes reserve requirements to curb lending
The People's Bank of China said on Saturday that it is raising its reserve requirement ratio in order to limit loan growth and inflation.
Bernanke and Kohn commend monetary policy pioneer
Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Donald Kohn, the Fed's vice chairman, praised John Taylor, a professor at Stanford University, for his contribution to monetary policy.
Impact of deepening is complex: Italy's Visco
Financial deepening has affected the speed and strength of the monetary policy transmission mechanism, according to Ignazio Visco, a deputy director at the Bank of Italy.
Chile holds rates at 5.75%
The Central Bank of Chile's policy board voted to keep its benchmark rate at 5.75% despite mounting concern over rising inflation.
Korea holds rates at highest level for six years
The Bank of Korea's rate-setting board decided to leave its benchmark rate at a six-year high of 5% on Thursday.
Japan holds rates at 0.5%
The Bank of Japan's rate-setting committee voted eight to one in favour of maintaining their benchmark rate at about 0.5% on Thursday.
South Africa hikes rates by 50 basis points
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) surprised markets on Thursday, pushing its benchmark rate up by half a percentage point to 10.5%.
Singapore continues currency appreciation
The Monetary Authority of Singapore said on Thursday that it would continue to strengthen the value of the Singapore dollar relative to its US counterpart.
Fed unanimously supported 50 basis point cut
All ten members of rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) were in favour of 50 basis point cut, the minutes of the 18 September meeting reveal.
Kenya holds rates at 8.75%
The Central Bank of Kenya decided on Thursday to hold its benchmark rate at 8.75%.
Philippines cuts rates
The Central Bank of the Philippines surprised the markets on Thursday by deciding to lower its key policy rates by 25 basis points to 5.75%, for the overnight borrowing rate, and 7.75% for the overnight lending rate.
Turkish governor explains September rate cut
Durmus Yilmaz, the governor of the Central Bank of Turkey, on Friday explained why the central bank decided to make a surprise rate cut in September.
Maintaining growth motivated cut - Fed's Kohn
A 50 basis point cut was necessary to keep the economy on a sustainable growth pace, said Donald Kohn, the vice chairman of the Federal Reserve.
ECB holds rates, but "stands ready" for rise
The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday decided to hold its benchmark rate at 4%.
Old Lady holds rates, relaxes reserve rules
The Bank of England's monetary policy committee on Thursday said it would keep its benchmark rate at 5.75%.
Barbados to give more power to central bank
The Central Bank of Barbados could be granted more independence if the country's parliament agrees to pass its latest Central Bank act. The island's authorities will also open a financial services regulator within months.
Nigeria hikes rates
The Central Bank of Nigeria said on Thursday it would raise its benchmark monetary policy rate by a full percentage point to 9%.
Bernanke schedule reveals markets' influence
Details of the diary of Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, show the extent to which Wall Street executives, along with money managers and cabinet officials, played a role in his policy about-turn on 17 August.