Monetary Policy
Structural handicaps limiting growth says Trichet
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said in an interview published Monday that structural handicaps such as labour market regulations and high public spending are the main limit to European growth.
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, June 2004
The Federal Reserve released its June 2004 Beige Book survey on 16 June. The report said that economy activity in April and May continued to expand across the United States.
Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey, Jun 2004
According to the firms surveyed for the Philadelphia Fed's Business Outlook Survey, June 2004, expansion continued in the region's manufacturing sector with most indicators improved on their May readings.
Bank of England - Annual Report 2004
The Bank of England has published its Annual Report for 2003/2004. The Bank spent more than £20m last year on defending itself against charges of "misfeasance in public office" relating to the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International,…
Chicago Fed's Moskow on the US economic outlook
In the speech 'U.S. Economic Outlook' given on 17 June Michael Moskow of the Chicago Fed said he believes the Federal Reserve will be able to stick to its pledged "measured" pace of interest-rate hikes, but the Fed will come into action if economic…
Boston Fed's Minehan on US retail payments
In the speech 'U.S. Retail Payments: Opportunities and Challenges' given on 17 June Cathy Minehan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said the Federal Reserve's level of official interest rates is out of step with the strong U.S. economy and the highly…
Fed's Olson on the economic outlook
In the speech 'Economic Outlook' given on 15 June Mark Olson of the Federal Reserve said the Fed should be able to raise interest rates gradually, although economic events would ultimately dictate the pace. He also said that although US inflation has…
Richmond Fed names Jeffrey Lacker President
Jeffrey M. Lacker was appointed on 17 June the new President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, effective August 1, 2004. He succeeds J. Alfred Broaddus, Jr., who announced his intention to retire back in November.
Senate vote confirms Greenspan
The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Alan Greenspan for a fifth and final term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, clearing him to serve at the Fed into 2006.
MPC dove Nickell joins Welsh think-tank
Professor Stephen Nickell, a member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has been appointed to a Welsh economic think-tank.
Report says Welteke rejects fine as too high
Ernst Welteke, who resigned as president of Germany's Bundesbank after accepting hospitality, won't pay 50,000 euros ($60,000) to end an inquiry by the Frankfurt public prosecutor, Welt am Sonntag reported.
Woman may join Germany's 'Five Wise Men'
For the first time a woman looks set to be appointed to the German government's so-called "Five Wise Men" panel of independent economic advisors, an economy ministry spokesman said.
Eurozone inflation rises to 2.5% in May
The European Union (EU) said that inflation in the euro zone grew to an annual rate of 2.5 percent in May from 2 percent in April, due mostly to rising costs of fuel and oil products across Europe.
Swiss National Bank raises interest rates
The Swiss National Bank on Thursday announced it was raising its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point after holding near zero for more than a year.
BOJ's Muto says closely watching long term rates
The Bank of Japan is closely watching rising long-term interest rates to see if they affect the world's second-largest economy, Toshiro Muto, one of the bank's two deputy governors, said in a speech.
No Russian banking crisis says Ignatyev
Chairman of the Russian Central Bank, Sergei Ignatyev, told a press conference on Friday 18 June, that the situation with ruble liquidity on the Russian inter-bank loan market is stabilising and that a banking crisis in Russia is highly unlikely.
Former Bank of Korea governor Chon Chol Hwan dies
Chon Chol Hwan, former Bank of Korea governor, has died after an illness, aged 65, Bloomberg reported, citing South Korean central bank's press office.
King on house price inflation in UK
In a speech given on 14 June Mervyn King of the Bank of England said the risk of a decline in UK house prices is increasing, despite the central bank's latest attempt to cool the housing market after raising interest rates four times since November. He…
Interview with Mervyn King
In an interview with Scotland's The Herald newspaper published 15 June, Mervyn King said that the Monetary Policy Committee was not in the business of trying to shock consumers or the market and would only do so when the situation had materially changed…
Trichet on international financial architecture
In the speech 'The International Financial Architecture - Where do we stand?' given on 14 June Jean-Claude Trichet of the ECB said the key aim of today's policy makers has not changed compared to those at the Bretton Woods times - it has been, and still…
Central Bank of the Bahamas - Annual Report 2003
The Central Bank of the Bahamas has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. The report includes a comparative review of economic and financial developments in the Bahamas during 2003, an update on regulatory development affecting the…
BIS Quarterly Review June 2004
The BIS June 2004 quarterly review, released 14 June, is divided into two parts. The first analyses recent developments in financial markets, financing flows in banking and debt securities markets, and activity on derivatives markets. The second part…
Report says Buba used public money to build villas
For decades the Bundesbank used public money to build luxury villas for some of its top officials, German business daily Handelsblatt reported.
Olson says Fed must stay alert on inflation
The U.S. economy is growing at a rate at which policymakers must pay attention to the possibility of inflation, Federal Reserve Governor Mark Olson said on Monday.