Central Banks
UK's Lomax: rate hike was inflation 'insurance'
Rachel Lomax, a deputy governor at the Bank of England suggested that successive interest rate hikes by the Bank this year were akin to "buying insurance" against possible inflation spikes.
Room for improvement in Riksbank's monetary policy
A parliamentary report into Sweden's monetary policy says that while the Riksbank compares favourably with other central banks in terms of monetary policy, the persistent undershooting of its inflation target in recent years means there is room for…
Canada to research inflation target
Although the Bank of Canada's inflation target will remain at 2% for the next five years, the central bank has announced a major research project on the benefits of lowering the target.
Bank of Israel cuts rates again
The Bank of Israel lowered its benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points on 27 November. This second reduction in two months takes rates to 5%.
Pakistan central bank's no-show in T-bill auction
Dealers in the Pakistani interbank market reported wild swings in short-term overnight interest rates on 27 November, triggered by the central bank's rejection of treasury market bids.
Mexico holds rates despite inflation spike
On 24 November, the Bank of Mexico held its benchmark lending rate at 7%, as expected, for a seventh straight month. The central bank also indicated that the recent increase in inflation would be temporary.
Warsaw hails ex-president of central bank as mayor
Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, the head of Poland's central bank from 1992 to 2000, is set to become the next mayor of the Polish capital Warsaw.
Cautious Fukui on rates outlook
Toshihiko Fukui, the governor of the Bank of Japan, said that the central bank "will proceed with gradual rate hikes" in this speech, given on 27 August.
New payments data from CPSS
The Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems published their annual statistical update of data on payments and payment systems for 2005.
McDonough for Santander board
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA has named William J. McDonough, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as a member of its non-executive board.
Malaysia holds rates as inflation moderates
As expected, Malaysia's central bank kept interest rates steady at 3.5% for the fifth meeting in a row on Friday. The central bank said lower oil and commodity prices, together with moderate domestic price and wage increases, were keeping inflation in…
Canada maintains inflation target for next 5 years
The Bank of Canada renewed its inflation target of 2%, measured as the change in the core consumer price index, with a symmetrical band of 1% either side, for the next five years.
Turkish rates stable despite high inflation
The Turkish central bank announced on 23 November that it will keep its policy rate unchanged at 17.5% and the lending rate at 22.5% after its penultimate monetary policy committee meeting for 2006.
SA's Trevor Manuel to lead G20
South Africa's veteran finance minister, Trevor Manuel, has called on the group of 20 (G20) finance ministers and central bank governors to "build windmills in the calm of current global financial stability."
BoK chief on financial supervision
In this speech, the governor of the Bank of Korea, Seong-tae Lee, suggests that financial reforms and stricter supervision standards ensured that the damage from the 2003 credit card crisis was minimal.
Fiji ponders remittances' effects
The governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Savenaca Narube, suggested that the central bank would like to see remittances channelled towards investment projects and other "productive purposes".
New Thai governor on IT
In a speech called "Inflation targeting - a reflection on Thailand's experience," the newly-appointed governor of the Bank of Thailand, Tarisa Watanagase, cautioned that the framework should not be seen as a panacea.
SWIFT broke laws - EU committee
SWIFT, an international financial data transfer agency, breached European data privacy laws in handing over personal data to American investigators, according to a report by a European Union committee.
Korea raises reserve ratios
Korea's central bank will raise reserve requirements on short-term deposits by 40% next month, the governor, Lee Seong-tae, announced on Thursday.
UK's Lomax a surprise dissenter in rate decision
Rachel Lomax, a deputy governor at the Bank of England, was a surprise dissenter at the rate-setting meeting in November, minutes released on Tuesday showed.
Europe's new large-value payment system on target
Europe's new large-value payment system is on schedule to go live in 2007 says the European Central Bank in its third annual report on TARGET2.
Pursuing financial stability - RBI speech
In the speech 'Central Banks and Risk Management: Pursuing Financial Stability' given on 21 November, Rakesh Mohan, deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India discusses various aspects of central banks' role in the pursuit of financial stability.
Buba's Fabritius on the new TARGET2 system
In the speech 'The new TARGET2 system and recent developments in European securities settlement' given on 15 November Hans Georg Fabritius of the Bundesbank said we will only be able to realise TARGET2 Securities with the active involvement and…
Mboweni on the National Payments System in SA
In a speech given on 15 November Tito Mboweni of the South African Reserve Bank said collaboration between the Bank and the banking industry has resulted in the South African Payment System being recognised as an example or model for development…