Central Banks
BOJ reports economy extends recovery
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui told a news conference Wednesday 6 April that a decline in business confidence doesn't alter the bank's view that Japan's economy is maintaining a recovery.
Brazil prosecutor calls for central bank inquiry
Brazil's Supreme Court has been asked by the attorney general to start an investigation into central bank President Henrique Meirelles for alleged financial irregularities.
Top Chinese officials to miss spring IMF meetings
Senior Chinese officials have said they will not attend spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank at the end of next week, a U.S. Treasury Department official said on Tuesday 5 April.
IMF's Rato on capital markets in a global economy
In the speech 'Capital markets in a global economy - Recent developments' given on 1 April Rodrigo de Rato of the IMF said "a continued measured withdrawal of stimulus remains appropriate" on US monetary policy.
Serbia's Jelasic on the anniversary of the NBS
In the speech '121-year anniversary of the National Bank of Serbia' given on 16 March Radovan Jelasic of the National Bank of Serbia said the NBS does not need either IMF or the World Bank to "propel" it, as these institutions are real partners rather…
Bank of Canada, Business Outlook Survey, Spring 05
The Bank of Canada's Spring 2005 Business Outlook Survey reports that businesses are more optimistic about the economic outlook than in the winter survey.
Philadelphia Fed Business Review, 1st Quarter 2005
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has published its regular Business Review for the First Quarter 2005. In "Preparing for the 21st Century Economy," President Anthony Santomero talks about two trends he deems to be of particular importance.
Sweden's Srejber on asset prices, inflation target
Speaking at a seminar at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology on 16 March first deputy governor Eva Srejber of the Sveriges Riksbank said it is now more than ten years since the Riksbank adopted an explicit inflation target and the policy has been…
ASEAN finance ministers hold Laos meeting
Finance ministers from the 10 ASEAN member nations will start a two-day meeting on Wednesday 6 April in Vientiane, Laos, to discuss economic development in Southeast Asia.
Kudrin says Russia should keep $100bn reserves
Russia should maintain at least U.S. $100 billion in foreign exchange and gold reserves, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, Monday 4 April.
China to reform forex regime, not just level
China's central bank will focus this year on how to establish a workable exchange rate mechanism instead of simply fixing the exchange rate at a certain level, the official China Securities Journal reported, citing a senior PBOC official.
Greenspan says Basel II would strengthen US banks
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said that implementing the new Basel II global banking rules would make U.S. banks stronger and safer, and were unlikely to harm their competitiveness.
6th Islamic Financial Services meeting starts
The 6th meeting of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) began in Tehran Tuesday 5 April under the chairmanship of the governor of the Iranian central bank Ibrahim Shibani.
Fed's Bies on the Bank Secrecy Act and Basel II
In the speech 'Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, Bank Secrecy Act, and Capital Issues' given on 31 March Susan Schmidt Bies of the Federal Reserve said U.S. regulators are very sensitive to the competitive implications of having two sets of rules for the…
Muto on Japan's payment and settlement systems
In the speech 'Japan's payment and settlement systems and the Bank of Japan' given on 3 December (published 24 March) Toshiro Muto of the Bank of Japan said generally, reform of payment and settlement systems in any country does not happen until it…
Statement by IMF's Rato on death of the Pope
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued a statement on Sunday 3 April on the death of Pope John Paul II.
IMF hosts farewell lunch for James Wolfensohn
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) hosted a luncheon on 29 March to bid farewell to James D. Wolfensohn, who steps down on 31 May after serving two terms as President of the World Bank.
Fed's Poole: How should the Fed communicate?
In the speech 'How should the Fed communicate?' given on 2 April William Poole of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis said U.S. growth is strong and the Federal Reserve must ensure it confronts the risk of higher inflation.
Bundesbank opposed to IMF gold sale
The Bundesbank said Monday 4 April it firmly opposed the idea that the International Monetary Fund sell some of its gold reserves.
Boston's Minehan expects relatively strong growth
Boston Fed chief Cathy Minehan said Friday 1 April the United States should experience healthy growth in 2005 with inflation well-behaved, although there are some risks to the outlook.
Chicago's Moskow says inflation well contained
U.S. inflation is still "well contained" according to Chicago Federal Reserve President Michael Moskow despite anecdotal evidence of increased pricing pressures, said on Friday 1 April.
Bush nominates Bernanke as Economic Adviser
US President Bush will nominate Federal Reserve Governor Ben Bernanke to be chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, the White House said Friday 1 April.
Fed's Kohn, Santomero debate inflation targeting
The Federal Reserve remains split over setting an explicit inflation target for the U.S., leaving it an open question for the next chairman of the Federal Reserve to resolve, Fed policy makers told a weekend conference at Princeton University on Saturday…
IMF names Saleh Nsouli director of Europe office
Anne Krueger, Acting Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), named Saleh Nsouli as Director of the IMF's Offices in Europe on Monday.