Central Banks
A decade of reforms at the Riksbank
Lars Heikensten explains why the world’s oldest central bank had to modernise
All eyes on the rand
Inflation is on target, but the exchange rate still dominates economic debate, writes Malan Rietveld.
Central bank staff costs
Paul Brione analyses the cost of central bankers across the OECD.
Beware fads and fashions
The latest fashion in accounting standards will not deliver good central banking says John Nugée.
The Riksbank’s ongoing efficiency drive
This article, the first in a special feature modernising central banks, looks at the Riksbank’s drive to improve efficiency in cash handling, payment systems and reserve management.
Interview: Lars Heikensten
The governor of Sweden’s Riksbank explains why the world’s oldest central bank had to modernise.
Japan’s debt dilemma
After years of stagnation, Japan’s economy is at last stirring. Yet rising yields threaten new financial crises. Anthony Rowley reports.
Managing with negative capital
How does the Czech National Bank deal with the negative capital on its balance sheet? Jan Frait explains.
Fischer wows Israel
Stanley Fischer has ambitious plans to reform the Bank of Israel. Dan Gerstenfeld reports.
Accountability – a politician’s view
David Ruffley discusses how the Bank of England’s accountability has developed in recent years.
An insider looks back at the Greenspan Fed
Edward Gramlich, who recently retired as a Federal Reserve governor, discusses some highlights of his term in office with Blair Baker and Erin Kogan.
Bernanke on Bernanke
Central Banking selects key remarks on major policy issues by the Fed chairman- elect.
Why statistics matter
More care should be taken in presenting important statistics, says Steve Hanke, editorial adviser to Central Banking.
ECB opposes BoI reform bill
Attempts to reform governance structures at the Bank of Italy (BoI) yesterday received another blow when Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, a member of the ECB's executive board, said the government should amend some of the initiatives proposed in a parliamentary bill.
No rates change, recovery "gradual" - BoK's Park
The Bank of Korea (BoK) on Thursday 10 November left its benchmark short-term interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent. The decision was widely expected by market participants, following a 25 basis point increase last month.
Japan's Fukui on New Path of Growth
On 11 November Toshihiko Fukui, governor of the Bank of Japan, gave a speech entitled "Toward a New Path of Growth for the Japanese Economy" based on the Bank's October Outlook Report at the Kisaragi-kai meeting in Tokyo.
Inflation concerns for Czech NB
The Czech National Bank (CNB) is worried about the inflation criterion the country must meet before joining the euro, vice-governor Miroslav Singer told delegates at a forum of the Czech Exporters' Association on 10 November.
New central banking appointments
A number of new appointments in key central banking positions were announced last week.
Comment: Unresolved collateral issues remain
The news that the ECB will only accept sovereign debt with an A- rating or higher as collateral for repurchase agreements and other collateral financing trades with commercial banks will help to instil fiscal discipline on member countries in the long…
BoE: no rates change
The Bank of England left its main interest rate yesterday, 9 November, unchanged at 4.5% for the third month in succession. The decision was widely expected after recent comments by Mervyn King, governor of the Bank, indicating he was against rate cuts.