Central Banks
News from SIBOS banking conference
Jean-Michel Godeffroy, director general of payment systems at the European Central Bank, was at the centre of several key debates at the SIBOS conference in Copenhagen on Wednesday 7 September.
BSP not ruling out tighter money policy
The Philippines central bank (BSP) said it would not rule out a "possible tightening" of its monetary policy after August inflation figures showed the rate rose faster than expected.
PBOC advisor says maintain neutral monetary policy
Yu Yongding, a senior economist and member of the People's Bank of China's monetary policy committee said China should maintain a neutral monetary policy as any change soon could confuse markets.
PBOC plans to issue guidance for e-payments
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) will soon issue guidance for e-payment to prevent payment risk and regulate rights and obligations between clients and banks in e-payment transactions, according to the vice governor of the PBOC on Monday 5 September.
Zimbabwe's Gono pleads against IMF expulsion
Zimbabwe's central bank chief called on the IMF not to expel the country on Sunday 4 September and denied using undeclared foreign exchange to pay back part of the IMF debt.
On tap for the next Fed chief: Trouble
The recent three-day gathering of central bankers in Jackson Hole was capped with an extended standing ovation for the Fed chief from the traditionally straitlaced crowd. But the challenges awaiting Alan Greenspan's successor may be far tougher than the…
ADB president assumes office
The 7th elected President of the African Development Bank (ADB) Group, Donald Kaberuka, was sworn in on 1 September, at the Temporary Relocation Agency (ATR) in Tunis.
Interview with Bank Indonesia's deputy governor
Bank Indonesia deputy governor Miranda Gultom said in an interview published on Wednesday 31 August that the central bank will review regulations that may be impeding desperately needed capital inflows at a time when the rupiah has hit record lows…
Socialist Party calls for sacking of NBU chief
Ukraine's Socialist Party, which makes up one of three groups in the government coalition, called for the dismissal of National Bank of Ukraine governor Volodymyr Stelmakh on Tuesday 30 August, saying the strong currency is damaging the economy.
Speculation on nominee to head Iran's central bank
Iran's new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is planning to appoint his close confidante Ali Saeedlou as director of the country's central bank, Iran Focus reported this week.
Trichet: 'Fazio is one of us'
ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said on Thursday 1 September that beleaguered Bank of Italy governor Antonio Fazio remains 'one of us' and rejected suggestions that the Governing Council was divided on the Fazio issue.
New banking regulator takes office in Chile
Gustavo Arriagada officially took over as Chile's banking regulator on Thursday 1 September, the regulatory agency Sbif said.
Kohn could fill hole left by Greenspan
Talk at the recent Fed policy conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming has put Donald Kohn in the frame as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Atlanta Fed paper on credit and identity theft
This working paper from the Atlanta Fed looks at the phenomenon of identity theft. It says that ultimately society may have to find a level of theft that balances its preference for privacy with its tolerance for transaction fraud.
Bank of Canada counterfeit deterrence awards
The Bank of Canada has announced the 2005 recipients of its annual Law-Enforcement Award of Excellence for Counterfeit Deterrence.
Comment: How to account for gold?
Opinions on whether gold is a good investment for central banks vary, but what is beyond dispute is that the different methods of accounting for gold in their balance sheets and income statements is a source of endless confusion.
ECB Paper on hedge funds and financial stability
The ECB Paper "Hedge funds and their implications for financial stability", published on 26 August, provides an overview of the hedge fund industry, mainly from a financial stability and European angle.
Financial Stability Forum to meet in London
The Financial Stability Forum announced on Tuesday 30 August that it will hold its fourteenth meeting on 8-9 September in London.
PBOC to change currency design
China's central bank said it will adopt a new design for its currency note, the yuan, to reduce counterfeiting of the new edition of notes which will start circulation on Wednesday 31 August.
Experiences of inflation targeting
A new IMF paper examines the experiences of inflation targeting countries and presents a number of "stylised facts" and conclusions for policy makers.
What remains of the SGP?
Franz-Christoph Zeitler, a member of the executive board of Deutsche Bundesbank, delivered a speech at the Salzburg seminar, a high-profile meeting place of international leaders, at which raised the question "What remains of the Stability and Growth…
Rupiah sinks on oil-price rise
The Indonesian rupiah has sunk to its lowest level since January 2002, following a week of rapid depreciation. Burhanuddin Abdullah, governor of Bank Indonesia, vowed to continue to defend the rupiah.
Kenya committee to advise on monetary operations
The Central Bank of Kenya will benefit from expert advice on how to implement monetary policy, following the establishment of a Monetary Policy Advisory Committee on August 24.
The yuan's stable float
Noises and signals continue to emerge from China about reforms to the exchange rate regime, but the central bank still appears to have a firm grip on the value of the yuan.