Monetary Policy
Bank of Jamaica - Annual Report 2006
Jamaica managed to impressively curtail inflation in 2006. The headline rate fell by more than half from 12.9% in 2005 to 5.8% last year.
Ghanaian governor celebrates 50th anniversary
Paul Acquah, the governor of the Bank of Ghana, talked about central bank developments and growth in the financial sector in a speech to mark the central bank's 50th birthday.
Australia raises rates to 6.5%
The Reserve Bank of Australia has increased interest rates by 25 basis points in an attempt to ward off inflation.
Fed looks to stabilise economy with rate hold
Against a backdrop of mounting concern over the health of the American economy, the Federal Reserve decided to leave its federal funds rate at 5.25% yesterday.
BoE inflation report suggests rate hike
The Bank of England looks set to raise rates to 6%, after its August inflation report, released on 8 August, indicated that further hikes were needed to bring inflation down towards the 2% target.
South Africa details forecasting model
The Reserve Bank of South Africa has published a paper describing the key stochastic equations in its core model, which is used for forecasting purposes at Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meetings.
Central Bank of Iran - Annual Report 2005/06
The Central Bank of Iran has published its annual report.
Indonesia holds rates
After two 25 basis point cuts in as many months, Bank Indonesia decided today to hold its benchmark interest rates at 8.25%
Mboweni predicts interest rate increase
Tito Mboweni, the governor of the Reserve Bank of South Africa, says the central bank is more likely to raise interest rates than reduce them at its policy meeting next week.
Bank of Greece - Annual Report 2006
The Bank of Greece has published a 100-page summary of its 2006 annual report.
Bank of Israel - Annual Report 2006
The Bank of Israel has published its 2006 annual report, reflecting on a strong year for the Israeli economy.
South Africa's Mboweni on monetary policy risks
In this speech Tito Mboweni, the governor of the South African Reserve Bank, outlines some of the major concerns currently facing the central bank.
South African inflation target band remains
The South African Reserve Bank's current inflation target band of 3% to 6% will be maintained despite criticism from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), finance minister Trevor Manuel announced on Monday 6 August.
Czech central bank predicts further rate hikes
The Czech National Bank will increase interest rates if its macroeconomic forecast is correct, minutes of latest policy meeting, released on Friday 3 August, revealed.
Philippines to hold rates
Amando Tetangco, governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines, hinted that interest rates would remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
Polish inflation to stay below 3.5% until 2009
Slawomir Skrzypek, the governor of the National Bank of Poland, says inflation will not top 3.5% in the next two years. Interest rates, he added, should remain unchanged as a result.
The pretend market for money
The current approach to monetary operations is complex, unnecessary and expensive, argues Julian Wiseman
Reform in the midst of crisis
George Abed tells the story of the development of Palestine’s central bank
Calls for New Zealand to drop inflation target
The New Zealand stock exchange operator, New Zealand Exchange (NZX), has called for on the country's central bank to abandon its strict inflation target. Michael Cullen, the finance minister, called the suggestion "very interesting and very well…
Peruvian rates on hold
Peru's central bank kept interest rates unchanged on 2 August, after last month's unexpected rate rise.
Trichet signals September hike
The European Central Bank (ECB) today left interest rates unchanged at 4%. In a surprise press conference after the announcement, Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the central bank, dropped a strong hint that rates will rise at the next meeting in…
Bank of England leaves rates unchanged
The Bank of England today announced that it would leave its benchmark interest rate at 5.75%. The decision to hold rates steady was widely expected, though most economists expect rates to rise to 6% before the end of this year.
Poole says Fed should not react to volatility
William Poole, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, says there is no need for the Fed to react immediately to recent volatility in the financial markets.
Malawi makes first rate cut in three years
The Reserve Bank of Malawi, the country's central bank, reduced its bank rate to 17.5% from 20% yesterday, encouraged by falling inflation and a strong economic turnaround.