Monetary Policy
Takenaka: Japan economy in minor adjustment phase
Heizo Takenaka, Japan's Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy, said on Tuesday 12 October that Japan's economic growth rate has slowed because the economy has entered an adjustment phase following strong growth in the last quarter of 2003.
Nobel prize winner calls for central bank autonomy
The joint winner of the 2004 Nobel economics prize, Finn Kydland, called on governments Monday 11 October to guarantee central bank independence and praised the European Central Bank, while criticising Latin American policy makers.
Netherland's Wellink on oil prices
Dutch National Bank president Nout Wellink said on Tuesday 12 October that although the rise in oil prices was not "pleasant" they would not dampen the outlook for economic growth in the eurozone.
When currency empires fall
Is the dollar doomed as the world's reserve currency? CentralBankNet caught up with Professor Avinash Persaud at a lecture on Thursday 9 October as he set out his dramatic vision of how global currency markets might evolve over the course of the 21st…
Ferguson on free trade: What do economists know?
In a speech on 'Free Trade: What Do Economists Really Know?' given on 7 October, Roger Ferguson of the Federal Reserve said he sees the current account deficit as a risk if it ends in a wrenching adjustment that strains Americans and spills over to other…
Fed's Bernanke: What have we learned since 1979?
In the speech 'Panel discussion: What Have We Learned Since October 1979?' given on 8 October, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said by doing what was necessary to achieve price stability, the Volcker Fed laid the groundwork for two decades, so far,…
Buba's Weber on the stability and growth pact
In a speech given on 27 September, Bundesbank president Axel Weber said that in his opinion the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact are fundamentally appropriate. However, they have not always been enforced rigorously enough in the past.
ECB's Trichet sees 'gradual' economic recovery
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said in an interview published on Monday 11 October that the economic recovery in the eurozone has remained gradual and that the central bank's analysis of the situation was balanced.
Current level of euro not a problem: EU's Almunia
Speaking at a European Commission conference on the euro, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Monday 11 October that the current level of the euro against the dollar is not a problem.
Fed's Stern says data won't change Fed tack
Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Gary Stern said on Friday 8 October in an interview that the weaker than expected gains in the labour market are not enough to change the Fed's plan to gradually raise interest rates.
Canada's Dodge on global economic developments
In a speech on 'Global Economic Developments and the Implications for Ontario' given on 7 October, David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said Canadian capital and financial markets need to become more efficient.
Fed's Bernanke on cb talk and monetary policy
In a speech on 'Central Bank Talk and Monetary Policy' given on 7 October, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said the Federal Reserve should take additional steps to be more transparent because monetary policy is more effective when the Fed gives the…
Fed's Greenspan on monetary policy after Oct 1979
In a speech on 'Monetary policy twenty-five years after October 1979' given on 7 October, Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan praised former central bank chief Paul Volcker's "decisive action" against rising prices at a landmark meeting of the…
Inaugural speech by Argentina's Redrado
In a speech to his staff on 24 September, the new Governor of the Central Bank of Argentina, Martin Redrado, said he aims at creating and developing new challenges. He said his goals include consolidating the value of the peso as a clear value reserve…
Fed could pause on weak data says McTeer
Dallas Fed President Robert McTeer said on Thursday 7 October that the Federal Reserve's decisions to raise short-term interest rates will depend on incoming economic data for the US.
Canada's exchange rate 'source of uncertainty'
Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Sheryl Kennedy said in a speech on Thursday 8 October that the central bank views the exchange rate as a "source of uncertainty" when forecasting economic growth.
Buba's Stark sees risk to growth from oil price
Bundesbank Vice-President Juergen Stark has said in an interview that record oil prices pose a greater risk to the euro region's economic growth prospects than they do to inflation.
Growth impact from oil 'modest' says Fed's Hoenig
Record oil prices will only have a moderate impact on U.S. growth which looks set for a solid performance over the next 18 months, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Thomas Hoenig said on Wednesday 6 October .
BMA deputy governor to step down
Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) Deputy Governor Khalid Al Bassam will step down at the end of the year after more than 15 years with the central bank.
ECB's 'gouverning council'
Who said the English language was taking over Europe? The European Central Bank's governing council met in Brussels yesterday, instead of Frankfurt. The bank always works in English but, according to the FT's observer column, the sign above ECB president…
Trichet note change sparks forgery claims
Berlin police have reassured citizens worried about an unfamiliar signature on their new euro notes that the money is genuine, news agencies report.
Euro or euras?
Algirdas Brazauskas, the Lithuanian prime minister, has criticised the EU's demand that the single currency be called the euro, not the euras, as it is known in Vilnius.
Almunia says ECB views on pact 'important'
EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner Joaquin Almunia told the European Parliament the European Central Bank's views on plans to reform the stability and growth pact are "very important", but ultimately it is member states who will vote on the…
Resolving large financial intermediaries: Update
In this updated article, the authors examine issues surrounding the possible failure of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Finding parallels between resolving insolvent large banks and insolvent housing enterprises, the authors suggest improvements to the…