Central Banks
Aussie demand surges following recent RBA rate cut
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to cut interest rates on May 1 led to a sharp fall in the Australian dollar, but has also caused an uptick in demand for the currency, according to FX traders and strategists in the region
JP Morgan loss flags shortcomings of Volcker rule
Questions raised after chief executive claims new regulation would not have prevented the risky trades that caused JP Morgan to lose $2 billion; first version of regulation may have, says Caprio
Bank of Israel paper evaluates past monetary policy decisions
Discussion paper from the Bank of Israel investigates patterns in monetary policy decisions and their outcomes in the country
Thai governor urges Asian market cooperation
Prasarn Trairatvorakul calls on Asian central banks and financial markets to co-operate; warns harmonisation of systems will not be easy
Praet describes the ECB’s role in the financial crisis
Member of the ECB executive board addresses Austrian central bank conference; echoes colleagues in stressing other routes to recovery must be pursued beyond emergency policy measures
Have your say on the next governor of the BoE
CentralBanking.com is running a poll asking about the credentials Mervyn King’s successor should possess
Differing growth predictions demonstrate uneven global recovery
European Commission estimates 0.3% contraction for eurozone GDP; Lithuania and Thailand meanwhile revise growth estimates upwards
New coins celebrate leadership change in Taiwan
Taiwanese central bank announces minting of gold and silver commemorative coins in recognition of the new president and vice-president
IMF paper looks at alternative monetary policy rules for India
International Monetary Fund researchers show forward-looking rules for monetary policy formulation provide better results in India
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: Under pressure from Hollande and Obama
François Hollande, the new president of France, takes up residence in the Elysée Palace at a time when significant economic adjustment is taking place in the eurozone, albeit at high cost. His victory looks set to add to pressure on central bankers – and…
BoE holds fire on rates and quantitative easing
Benchmark rate and asset purchase programme unchanged; market looks to inflation figures next week for hints on MPC thought pattern
Bernanke says stronger banks will lead to 'robust' economy
Fed chair outlines progress made by financial sector; says improved credit conditions will play a part in creating a robust economy in the US
Bank of Spain plays down bank nationalisation talk
Spanish central bank says customers and depositors of Banco Financiero y de Ahorros have "no cause for concern" as the possible use of public funds to stabilise the firm is discussed
New Zambian banknotes will not feature a portrait
Bank of Zambia confirms rebased notes will not portray the image of any person; businesses urged to update systems ahead of changeover date
MAS assistant managing director discusses importance of market research
Jacqueline Loh highlights benefits of increased financial research for Asian economies; says risks associated with investing in Asia can be mitigated by enhanced information-gathering
IMF research examines links between governance and stress events
IMF working paper discusses correlation between quality of national governance and the likelihood of economic stress events
Fed's Plosser looks beyond government intervention to generate growth
Philadelphia Fed president urges communities seeking economic growth to look beyond government initiatives
Reserve Bank of New Zealand to release latest Basel III proposals
Deputy governor of Reserve Bank of New Zealand says central bank will shortly submit its latest Basel III proposals; continuing fears over global economy highlighted in Financial Stability Report
EFSF withholds funds as pressure increases on Greece
EFSF withholds €1 billion of emergency payout to Greece as voters revolt against austerity measures; ECB’s Nowotny warns time is running out