Reserves
SAMA chief sees greater role for euro
The head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority said that although he didn't see any new shift in world currency reserves from dollars to euros, he expected the single currency to have a greater role in the future in terms of international reserves.
Federal Reserve Bank transfers to US Treasury 2004
The Federal Reserve Board on Friday 7 January released figures that indicate the Federal Reserve Banks distributed approximately $18.086 billion of their $23.541 billion total income to the U.S. Treasury during 2004.
Hong Kong's latest foreign currency reserves
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced on Friday 7 January that the official foreign currency reserve assets of Hong Kong amounted to US$123.6 billion at the end of December 2004, up from US$121.5 billion at end-November 2004.
HKMA's Yam says dollar may become less popular
The dollar may become ``less popular'' as a reserve currency should record U.S. current-account and budget deficits persist, said Joseph Yam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in an article published by the HKMA on Thursday.
Chavez calls for BCV president's resignation
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez called on Diego Castellanos, president of the country's central bank, to step down from his post as the row over the distribution of the central bank's reserves continues.
Bundesbank holds back on gold sales
The Bundesbank announced on Monday 20 December that it would not be exercising an option to sell 120 tonnes of its gold reserves. This followed earlier speculation that it was under pressure from the German government, who wanted to use gold sales to…
How far must US dollar fall?
A new paper, entitled "How much depreciation of the US dollar for sustainability of the current accounts?" by Eiji Ogawa and Takeshi Kudo of Hitotsubashi University Research Unit considers various scenarios for the future path of the dollar.
Korea's fin min criticised for meddling in BOK
South Korea could face another financial crisis if the Finance Ministry continues to intervene in the country's interest rate policy and management of foreign reserves, a member of the central bank's policy committee warned on Friday 10 December.
SAFE spokesman says China central bank 'sound'
The People's Bank of China is "in sound financial condition," as a result of its strategies and achievements in managing the country's foreign exchange reserves, according to a spokesman for China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) on…
CBR's Ignatyev says gold/ fx reserves may change
Changes in the structure of gold and foreign exchange reserves are possible, Russian central bank Chairman Sergei Ignatyev said in the State Duma.
State Street on the dollar
John Nugee of State Street Global Advisors, formerly of the Bank of England, has today released an analysis of the dollar problem. The paper argues that the main effect of the dollar weakness on central banks' willingness to hold dollars may be felt not…
HKMA's Topping on liquidity risk management
In a speech on 'Liquidity risk management: A regulator's view' given on 16 November, Simon Topping of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority said central to effective liquidity risk management is a bank's ability to maintain adequate liquidity in the event of…
Meirelles says Brazil has sufficient reserves
The central bank of Brazil is in no rush to buy dollars because its foreign reserve level is sufficient, bank President Henrique Meirelles said.
Brazil central bank denies govt buying dollars
Afonso Bevilaqua, economic policy director at Brazil's central bank, denied that the treasury is seeking to stem the rise of the Brazilian real by buying dollars on the spot market, official news agency Agencia Brasil reported.
Bank of France to sell some gold reserves
The French Finance Ministry said in a statement on Friday 19 November that discussions on the sale of a portion of France's gold reserves have been finalised with the Bank of France.
Caruana on Basel II - Emerging market perspectives
In a speech on 'Basel II - Emerging Market Perspectives' given on 11 November, Jaime Caruana of the Banco de Espaa and Chairman of the Basel Committee said Basel II is intended to reinforce our focus on risk and to encourage all of us to improve our…
S. Africa's Plenderleith on the gold market
In a speech on 'Developments in the gold market' given on 26 October, Ian Plenderleith of the South African Reserve Bank said with gold occupying such a powerful place in our emotions, I am confident that, provided we take advantage of the opportunities,…
Joint Forum report on credit risk transfer
The Joint Forum has released for consultation a report prepared by its working group on risk assessment and capital entitled Credit Risk Transfer. The report responds to a request by the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) to undertake a review of credit…
BIS's Knight on managing evolving financial risk
In a speech on 'Markets and institutions: Managing the evolving financial risk' given on 14 October, Malcolm Knight of the BIS said trends in the financial system have brought about a transformation in the nature of financial risk. These trends have put…
Illarionov says Russia diversifying fx reserves
By selling US dollars, securities and assets denominated in the US currency, Russia is diversifying its currency reserves, which is in line with the policy pursued by the Central Bank of Russia, Andrei Illarionov, adviser to the Russian President on…
World central bank gold holdings down 3.2%
Analyst John C Tumazos of Prudential Financial said on Tuesday 2 November that world central bank gold holdings have declined by 3.2% since November 2002.
A new approach to liquidity management
Management of its foreign exchange exposure by a multinational firm provides a template for managing official reserve assets, argues Robert Z. Aliber.
Zimbabwe to tap huge platinum reserves
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono said over the weekend that the government was in talks with foreign investors to tap huge platinum reserves valued at 290 billion US dollars.
Report says Argentina to relax forex controls
The Argentine central bank will try gradually to lift controls imposed on foreign exchange transactions, daily La Nacion reported, without naming sources.