Central Banks
Poland increases rates
The National Bank of Poland decided Wednesday to hike interest rates by a quarter despite inflation remaining below the central bank's target rate. The benchmark reference rate is now 4.75%.
Government bond liquidity key - Swiss banker
"A liquid market for government bonds is a great advantage for the functioning of financial markets and for an efficient monetary policy," Swiss National Bank board member Thomas Jordan argued on Tuesday.
Minutes highlight Fed's attitude shift
Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) last rate-setting meeting reveal optimism that the economy could weather turmoil in the money markets.
Central Bank of Luxembourg - Annual Report 2006
Inflation in Luxembourg increased for the third consecutive year in 2006.
Japan's low rates explained
Japan's low long-term interest rates can be explained with economic rationality, according to a paper published by the Bank of Japan on Wednesday.
Iranian governor resigns
Ebrahim Sheibani, the governor of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has resigned.
Hungary maintains base rate
The National Bank of Hungary held the base rate at 7.75% on Monday 27 August.
Israel raises rates to 4%
The Bank of Israel increased its interest rate by 25 basis points to 4%, after inflation rose more than expected in July.
Colombia holds rates
Colombia's central bank decided to maintain its 9.25% interest rate on Friday after inflation fell in July.
Trichet stresses importance of transparency
Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), said that ensuring that inflation expectations stay well-anchored was "of paramount importance".
Mizuno wanted 25 bp hike
The minutes from the Bank of Japan's monetary policy board July meeting confirm that Atsushi Mizuno wanted to raise the overnight rate from 0.5% to 0.75%.
Problems with monetary policy transmission lags
A paper published by the Bank of Finland investigates how lags in monetary policy transmission can damage the credibility of inflation-targeting central bankers.
Bank of Mongolia - Annual Report 2006
Mongolia's economy grew by 8.4% in 2006. Inflation stood at 6%, 1 percentage point lower than the 7% limit set by the State Monetary Policy Guideline.
Borrowing from Fed at highest level since 9/11
Banks have borrowed an average of $1.2 billion a day from the Federal Reserve's discount window for the week ending 22 August. This is the third highest weekly amount of borrowing ever.
Malaysia holds rates at 3.5%
Bank Negara Malaysia decided to keep its overnight call rate at 3.5% on Friday.
Canada appoints special adviser
Paul Masson will join the Bank of Canada as a special adviser for the year 2007-08 in September, the central bank announced on Wednesday 22 August.
RBNZ appoints new department head
Lindsay Jenkin will join the Reserve Bank of New Zealand as head of human resources.
Ford chief joins Wall Street's calls for Fed cut
Alan Mulally, the chief executive of motor company Ford, voiced his support for a cut to the federal funds rate on Friday.
Bank of Slovenia - Annual Report 2006
Strong exports and domestic consumption helped Slovenia's economy grow by 5.2% in 2006. The construction sector had an impressive year, expanding by more than 20% in the final quarter.
Securitisation led to subprime growth
The introduction of automated underwriting and securitisation caused the US subprime loans market to expand, according to two International Monetary Fund (IMF) researchers.
The emergence of principles-based policy
The Swiss National Bank has published a paper reviewing what it describes as the success of its principles-based approach to monetary policy.
IMF head plays down market volatility
Rodrigo de Rato, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expects both US and global economic growth to continue in spite of financial turmoil.
Japan holds rates for now
The Bank of Japan's monetary policy board voted 8-1 in favour of keeping the overnight call rate at about 0.5%.