Monetary Policy
Deutsche Bundesbank Monthly Report, April 2005
The Deutsche Bundesbank has published the English version of its April 2005 Monthly Report. Germany's economy returned to growth in the first quarter of this year with exports continuing to underpin expansion as domestic demand remained weak.
BoJ's Fukui on incentives for policymakers
In a speech given at the 12th International Conference given on 30 May, Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said incentives matter to central banks, not only at the level of macroeconomic targets, but also at the micro-level of day-to-day decision…
Dodge on 70 years of central banking in Canada
In the speech '70 years of central banking in Canada' given on 27 May, David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said the Bank of Canada is considering refining its current inflation-targeting framework when the process comes up for renewal next year.
BoE's Nickell says spare capacity in UK lower
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Stephen Nickell said on Tuesday 31 May that the UK Treasury is probably overestimating the amount of spare capacity in the economy.
Fed's Ferguson says US house prices to slow
House prices seem high in much of the United States and price growth is likely to slow, Federal Reserve Vice-Chairman Roger Ferguson said on Friday 27 May in a speech at the seventh Deutsche Bundesbank spring conference.
Trichet says Europe facing 'difficult moment'
The President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, spoke on Monday night after France's rejection of the EU constitution, saying Europe faced "a difficult moment".
China minister sees stable yuan
China's Commerce Minister Bo Xilai said on Monday 30 May that the country would consider the needs of its domestic economy ahead of anything else before it considers appreciating its currency.
Official says Asia should have greater IMF role
Asian nations should and will have a greater voice and representation in global institutions including the International Monetary Fund, a senior IMF official told Reuters.
ECB weighs reshaping exec board, Trichet role
A major shake-up of jobs on the European Central Bank's Executive Board is under discussion and could lead to president Jean-Claude Trichet and his deputy taking a more prominent role in shaping monetary policy, this article says.
Zhou Xiaochuan joins the Group of Thirty
Following the Spring meeting of the Group of Thirty in Warsaw, Poland, the Group announced on Tuesday 24 May the addition of Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People's Bank of China, to the membership of the Group.
Senate backs Tombini to central bank of Brazil
Brazil's Senate Economic Affairs Committee on 24 May recommended the Senate confirm the nomination of Alexandre Tombini as central bank director for special studies.
Bell to leave Bank of England's MPC
The UK Chancellor, Gordon Brown, on Thursday 26 May announced the appointment of David Walton to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to succeed Marian Bell. The appointment will take effect on 1 July.
Schroder defeat could end Bofinger's ECB hopes
A defeat by Chancellor Gerhard Schroder in Germany's election in September could spell the end for Peter Bofinger's chances of succeeding Otmar Issing as the German representative on the European Central Bank's six-man executive board.
Who will fill Greenspan's shoes?
This article published on Thursday 26 May speculates on Alan Greenspan's successor at the Fed. Ben Bernanke will have to abandon his preference for Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts, it says, while Martin Feldstein looks risky given his outspokenness…
Heikensten on the Riksbank & stabilisation policy
In the speech 'The Riksbank and stabilisation policy' given on 24 May, Lars Heikensten of the Sveriges Riksbank said stabilisation policy is important, but one should not overestimate what it can achieve.
Bank of Japan Minutes, 5 and 6 April
The Bank of Japan's minutes from its 5 and 6 April monetary policy meeting published on 25 May showed that one member, Toshikatsu Fukuma, felt that the bank should cut its reserve target, dissenting from a vote to keep the target unchanged.
BoJ's Fukui on stabilization policies
In the speech 'On stabilization policies: A central banker's reflection' given on 27 May, Toshihiko Fukui of the Bank of Japan said the Japanese economy passed a critical milestone in its battle to escape more than a decade of stagnation, with the…
Phil Fed's Survey of Professional Forecasters
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has published its Second Quarter 2005 Survey of Professional Forecasters. Growth in the economy looks slower in the first six months of this year, according to 46 forecasters surveyed.
South Korea agrees currency deal with Japan, China
South Korea agreed a currency swaps deal with China and Japan on Friday as part of a joint effort to avoid financial turbulence in the region.
PBOC chief: China reforms to remain gradual
Speaking at the conference in Seoul, South Korea, on Friday China's central bank governor, Zhou Xiaochuan, said reforms of the Chinese yuan would remain gradual.
SF Fed's Yellen supports inflation objective
San Francisco Federal Reserve President Janet Yellen backed the idea of an explicit inflation objective on Friday 27 May, if not a strict inflation "target," to boost the effectiveness of U.S. monetary policy.
World Bank evacuated after fire
An underground electric transformer exploded Thursday 26 May, sparking a fire that forced authorities to close streets and evacuate several buildings - including the World Bank headquarters.
Olson on Federal Reserve in an electronic world
In the speech 'The Federal Reserve in an electronic world' given on 19 May, Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said the role of the private sector is growing in all segments of the payments system, from providing payments services, to setting industry…
Atlanta's Guynn on growth and low inflation
In a e speech on 'Continuing the pattern of growth and low inflation' given on 25 May, Jack Guynn of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta said the Federal Reserve is not yet done raising interest rates, but the central bank will watch economic data…