Central Banks
Bulgarian & Romanian governors attend ECB meeting
The European Central Bank has said that the governors of the Bulgarian National Bank and National Bank of Romania attended the meeting of the ECB's General Council on Thursday.
Comments by BoE's Nickell on OECD Paper
In a recent paper two OECD economists say "the absence of monetary policy autonomy seems to be associated with lower structural reform activity in large, more closed economies". Stephen Nickell commented on the paper at an ECB conference on Friday 17…
Bank of Japan Monthly Report, June 2005
The Bank of Japan published the English version of its June 2005 monthly report on Friday 17 June. In the report the BOJ said the economy continues to recover because of higher capital investment and consumer spending.
Hoenig says Fed aiming for neutral rates
The Federal Reserve should raise interest rates toward a neutral level of 3.5 to 4.5 per cent and get there "sooner rather than later" in the face of strong growth, a top Fed official said on Thursday 16 June.
Bank Indonesia to host central bank meeting
Bank Indonesia will host the 10th Executive Meeting of East Asia Pacific Central Bank (EMEAP) to be held Bali from June 18 to 19.
Venezuela presents central bank reform proposals
Venezuela's government has submitted a legislative proposal that would allow President Hugo Chavez to tap reserves held by the central bank.
ECB's Issing says EMU needs political support
European Central Bank Chief Economist Otmar Issing said steady political support from all euro zone members will be necessary to guarantee the success of a single monetary policy for the area.
Sweden's Rosenberg on growth and inflation
In the speech 'Surprisingly weak growth dampening inflation outlook' given on 15 June, Irma Rosenberg of the Sveriges Riksbank said she sees scope for a more expansionary monetary policy.
Canada's Dodge on adjusting to change
In the speech 'Adjusting to change' given on 15 June, David Dodge of the Bank of Canada said nations are being affected by the same powerful forces - growing competition from emerging-market economies, such as China and India, and large and growing…
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, June 2005
The Federal Reserve published its June 2005 Beige Book survey on 15 June. According to the report business activity continued to expand from mid-April through May, and overall price pressures were moderate.
Fed's Poole on the term structure of interest rate
In the speech 'Understanding the term structure of interest rates' given on 14 June, William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said long-term interest rates have stayed steady in the face of rising short-term rates because the economy, and…
Richmond's Lacker on retail financial innovation
In the speech 'Retail financial innovation' given on 14 June, Jeffrey Lacker of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond said calls for tighter rules on consumer lending are an inevitable companion to the dramatic rise in the availability of credit but must…
ECB's Papademos says structural reforms needed
European Central Bank vice-president Lucas Papademos said in a speech on Thursday differences in euro zone countries' growth rates result from structural factors and will have to be tackled by economic reforms in slow-growing countries.
Snow calls for Europe economic reforms
US Treasury Secretary John Snow urged Europeans on Thursday 16 June to better integrate their financial markets as a way to stimulate growth.
Korea postpones currency swap decision
The Bank of Korea (BOK) postponed a decision Wednesday 15 June on a proposal to lend some of its foreign exchange reserves to domestic banks through currency swaps, the central bank said.
'Many ministers' want ECB rate cut says Juncker
Euro group president Jean-Claude Juncker has said "many ministers" want the European Central Bank to cut interest rates.
Buba's Weber says ECB rates appropriate
The current level of interest rates in the 12-country euro zone is 'appropriate,' Bundesbank chief Axel Weber said Wednesday 15 June.
SNB's Roth on Switzerland: Small, but global
In the speech 'Switzerland: Small, but global' given on 10 June, Jean-Pierre Roth of the SNB said many fail to appreciate that this alpine republic is not merely a quaint little country for tourists, but a platform for global activity.
Rato on the IMF in a changing world
In the speech 'The IMF in a changing world' given on 8 June, Rodrigo de Rato of the IMF said to maintain the IMF's effectiveness, it is essential for our membership to resolve the difficult issues that have been raised about our own governance.
SF Fed says flatter yield curve not a warning
A study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco says a sharp flattening in the US Treasury yield curve need not suggest the onset of economic weakness.
Fed's Kohn on managing risk
In the speech 'Managing risk in a changing economic and financial landscape' given on 15 June, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said the US current account deficit and surge in house prices may not be sustainable and urged banks to protect themselves…
Bank of England - Annual Report 2005
The Bank of England published its Annual Report for 2005 on 15 June. In his Foreword governor Mervyn King said many of the initiatives arising from the fundamental review of Bank Strategy are already in train.
Iran urges Tajikistan to join union of Asian banks
Visiting from Tehran on Wednesday 15 June, Iran's central bank governor called on Tajikistan to initiate accession of the Tajik national bank to the union of Asian central banks.