Central Banks
Iran plans move towards euro from dollar
A spokesman for the Iranian government said Monday 18 December that the Central Bank of Iran will convert the state's foreign dollar holdings into euros and use the euro for foreign transactions.
ECB's Stark says eurozone rates still low
European Central Bank (ECB) Chief Economist Juergen Stark said Thursday 14 December the bank's interest rate policy is still accommodative and noted that levels are low.
Ireland's Hurley on SEPA and NPIP
In the speech 'The challenges ahead - SEPA and NPIP' given on 12 December John Hurley of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland said the SEPA project aims to ensure that all consumers throughout the euro area will have available to…
Sweden's Riksbank raises rates to 3%
The Sveriges Riksbank increased its repo rate to 3.00 pct from 2.75 pct Friday 15 December in response to rising inflation combined with continued good levels of economic activity.
Conference announcement and call for papers
The Sveriges Riksbank has announced a conference "The Evolution of Financial Markets and Financial Institutions: New Threats to Financial Stability" will take place between 5-7 September 2007. The conference seeks to gather academics and policymakers to…
Poland's central bank nominee withdraws candidacy
The Polish president's office said Thursday 14 December that Jan Sulmicki, who was nominated earlier this week as the next governor of the National Bank of Poland, has withdrawn his candidacy for "personal reasons".
BoJ poised to leave rates unchanged - report
The Bank of Japan is expected to keep interest rates unchanged next week in its final policy board meeting for 2006, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Wednesday 13 December, without citing sources.
SNB raises interest rates by 25 basis points
Swiss National Bank (SNB) president Jean-Pierre Roth told a half-yearly press conference on Thursday 14 December the SNB will continue to pursue its strategy of gradual normalisation of monetary policy if the economy behaves as expected.
Slovenia 'well prepared' for euro
Slovenia has entered the final phase of preparations for the launch of the euro on New Year's Day, and is ready for the switchover, a central bank official said Thursday 14 December.
Polish president proposes surprise NBP candidate
Polish President Lech Kaczynski named economics professor Jan Sulmicki as his candidate for governor of the National Bank of Poland, the president's office said in a statement on Tuesday 13 December.
US Fed keeps benchmark rate unchanged
The U.S. Federal Reserve held key interest rates steady at 5.25 percent for a fourth straight meeting on Tuesday 12 December, while renewing a warning that risks from inflation remain.
Norges Bank raises rates to 3.50%
The Norwegian central bank said Wednesday 13 December it has decided to raise the sight deposit rate to 3.50 pct from 3.25 pct, effective from Thursday.
Canada's Dodge on financial system efficiency
In the speech 'Improving financial system efficiency: The need for action' given on 11 December David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said Canada's macroeconomic policies are second to none in supporting financial system efficiency, but work is needed to…
Papademos on the ECB's Financial Stability Review
In opening remarks to the ECB's Financial Stability Review press conference given on 11 December Lucas Papademos of the ECB said robust growth of credit to the euro area private sector could pose an upside risk to price stability.
ECB's Financial Stability Review, December 2006
The European Central Bank published its December 2006 Financial Stability Review on 11 December. In the report the ECB said the euro area financial system has proven resilient to adverse disturbances.
Side effects for ECB transparency
This article from the Financial Times, published Monday 11 December, says that a mixture of good luck and good judgment has made this a good year for the ECB.
Poland's central bank chief named before Xmas
Polish minister Aleksander Szczyglo from the President's Office said Tuesday 12 December in a Polish radio report that the name of the new head of the central bank should be known by Christmas.
Two candidates for Slovenia's central bank chief
Two candidates have applied for the post of the governor of Banka Slovenije, Slovenia's central bank, President Janez Drnovsek's office told STA News.
Fed's FOMC likely to hold US interest rates
The US economy is in fairly good shape despite the flagging housing and auto industries, suggesting the Federal Reserve will leave US interest rates unchanged at its meeting Tuesday 12 December.
BoJ's Iwata on monetary policy in Japan
In the speech 'The role of money and monetary policy in Japan' given on 10 November Kazumasa Iwata of the Bank of Japan said the BoJ's new framework introduced two perspectives on examining economic activity and prices.
Papademos on the global importance of the euro
In the speech 'The global importance of the euro' given on 17 November Lucas Papademos of the ECB said the share of the euro in global official foreign exchange reserves increased during the first few years following its introduction, but has remained…
Optimal currency shares in international reserves
The ECB Working Paper "Optimal currency shares in international reserves: the impact of the euro and the prospects for the dollar" says that foreign exchange reserve accumulation has risen dramatically in recent years.
Brian Lang retires from RBNZ
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced Monday 11 December that Brian Lang will be retiring from the Bank on 15 December. Lang joined the Bank in 1962 and has filled a wide range of senior positions.