Reserves
Gulf central banks plan single currency reserve
Gulf central banks are creating a reserve to support the single currency that is on track to be launched by 2010, the UAE Central Bank governor has said.
Venezuela central bank transfers US$3bn
Venezuela's central bank has transferred US$3 billion of its foreign exchange reserves to a newly created fund to support public projects, the finance minister said Friday 23 September.
RBA to dispose of gold coin holding
The Reserve Bank of Australia said on Wednesday 21 September that it has decided that it does not need to continue to hold the large quantity of gold coins it has held for many years.
Central Bank of Argentina - a changed view on gold
This article published Monday 19 September says the Central Bank of Argentina has now changed its philosophy and was a purchaser of gold during 2004 as it reshaped its portfolio and may consider taking more in the future along with other Latin American…
Comment: Gold stages a comeback
With the gold price hitting 18-year highs, it is about time there was serious re-thinking among central bankers with regards to holding gold as a part of their reserve portfolios.
Colombia central bank plans reserves sale
Colombia's central bank said on Friday 16 September it cut interest rates by half a percentage point and would sell at least $3 billion in international reserves to the government.
China's forex regime poses fresh puzzle
An article published on Tuesday 13 September says China's new rules for its currency regime could mean the country may be forced to battle the nearly $2 trillion-a-day global forex market to try to control the dollar, euro and yen exchange rates.
Vietnam to maintain compulsory reserves ratio
Vietnam's central bank said on Thursday 15 September it will not raise the compulsory reserve ratio banks must keep aside.
Argentina mulls increasing gold reserves
Argentina's central bank may increase its gold reserves as a hedge against inflation and to protect it against financial crises, according to Juan Ignacio Basco, the bank's head of market operations.
Comment: Managing Asian reserves
The accumulation of foreign-exchange reserves by Asian central banks is one of the most talked-about developments in international finance in recent years. Arguably, it is also one of the most misunderstood ones too - its causes and consequences being…
BOT soldiers guard the nation's finances
This article published on Monday 12 September looks at the Bank of Thailand's reserve management team. There's no longer concern about over-reacting if speculators come pounding at the barriers again, as they did in 1996-97, it says.
Fukuma sees risk from maintaining reserve target
Katsutoshi Fukuma, a member of the Bank of Japan's policy board, said in a speech he now sees rising risks in maintaining the bank's present 30-35 trln yen liquidity reserve target range, and he reiterated his call for a reduction.
Russia won't increase euro reserves
The Central Bank of Russia is not planning to increase the euro share in the country's gold and currency reserves and bi-currency basket, the first deputy bank chairman said Tuesday 13 September.
Malta holds foreign reserve management workshop
The Central Bank of Malta has hosted a two-day workshop in conjunction with the European Central Bank on the implications of euro area membership for foreign reserve management by national central banks.
PBOC to avoid triggering forex volatility
People's Bank of China chief Zhou Xiaochuan has vowed that the bank will not begin any changes in the management of its foreign exchange reserves that could introduce market volatility.
Asia can fight speculators without its own IMF
The Indonesian authorities plan to seek $6 billion in standby funds from Japan to bolster the country's depleting foreign reserves has seen the Indonesian currency slump to a four-year low, this article published on Tuesday 6 September reports.
Comment: How to account for gold?
Opinions on whether gold is a good investment for central banks vary, but what is beyond dispute is that the different methods of accounting for gold in their balance sheets and income statements is a source of endless confusion.
Comment: Governments eye foreign reserves
Two dimensions of official sector reserves receive a lot of attention in the press, in policy circles and from market analysts: foreign reserves held by central banks and public pension funds.
Colombian central bank to sell reserves to govt
Colombia's central bank said on Tuesday 16 August that it will sell more foreign reserves to the government, in a similar deal to a $1.25-billion sale carried out earlier this year to pay off a debt.
Argentina rebuilds
A re-equipped central bank is able to tackle mounting inflationary pressures in Argentina as the economy prospers, explains Martin redrado
Interview: Li Ruogu
In this exclusive interview, the deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China provides the background to the recent reform of its exchange rate system, the current monetary policy, China’s role in the international monetary system and its reserve…
Belgium's central bank offloads 30 tonnes of gold
Belgium's central bank said on Wednesday 10 August it had sold 30 tonnes of gold in July and August, leading to an increase in the yield on its assets.
Is Japan ready for 50-year debt?
The Japanese government bond market is the world's biggest, but also among the least international, according to this article published on Monday 8 August. Perhaps the U.S. Treasury's move to issue new 30-year debt early next year will encourage Japan to…
Malaysia reports reserve increase
The international reserves of Bank Negara surged to RM298.7 billion (US$78.7 billion) as at 29 July. This was a RM12.89 billion increase from the 15 July figure, the BNM said.