Central Banks
Bank of Canada - Annual Report 2003
The Bank of Canada has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2003. In the Governor's Message David Dodge said the Bank of Canada recognises that adjusting to the stronger Canadian dollar will be one of the most important economic challenges…
Fed's Bernanke on monetary policy modeling
In a speech on 'Monetary Policy Modeling: Where Are We and Where Should We Be Going?' given on 27 March, Ben Bernanke of the Federal Reserve said researchers should aim to provide more realistic models of the economy, improve economic forecasting and…
Philadelphia Fed's Santomero on 21st C banking
In a speech on 'Banking in the 21st Century' given on 27 March, Anthony Santomero of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said a new law this year will make it more efficient for banks to process the growing number of electronic payments, even as old…
Norway's Gjedrem on inflation targeting
In a speech on 'Flexible inflation targeting' given on 29 March, Svein Gjedrem of Norges Bank said external cyclical developments and events have had considerable implications for developments in the Norwegian economy.
New Venezuelan law targets central bank reserves
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela said on Sunday 28 March that his government was drafting a new law to force the country's independent central bank to release international reserves to finance government projects.
Japan says will continue currency intervention
Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Monday 29 March that it would continue its foreign exchange intervention, brushing aside a British newspaper report that Tokyo would finish its massive intervention into the currency market.
Bank of England's Nickell sees rapidly rising debt
Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Stephen Nickell said on Monday 29 March that most UK borrowers can afford the burden of "rapidly" growing mortgage debt, signalling it may see room for higher interest rates.
Snow tells PBOC governor to scrap peg
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow told People's Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan on Friday 26 March that China needs to scrap its dollar-pegged foreign exchange system and float the yuan.
Solbes: Eurozone recovery slowly moving ahead
EU economic commissioner Pedro Solbes said on Monday 29 March that recovery in the eurozone is "slowly gaining momentum" but the euro's rally and depressed consumer confidence are brakes on growth.
RBNZ Head of Operations appointed
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced on Wednesday March 24 the appointment of Dr Don Abel as the Bank's Assistant Governor and Head of Operations.
Central bankers get new home in Mauritius
The Bank of Mauritius has awarded a contract for the construction of a new multi-storey headquarters in Port Louis.
Poland's NBP confirms management changes
Leszek Balcerowicz, president of the National Bank of Poland, confirmed a number of changes to the central bank's management this week.
'Mr Euro' quits EU for Spanish fin min job
Pedro Solbes, a staunch defender of the eurozone's stability and growth pact, is stepping down as European economic and monetary affairs commissioner on 11 April to take up the post of finance minister in Spain's incoming Socialist government.
Central bank communication Philippines style
With elections fast approaching in the Philippines, campaigners are using SMS text messaging to drum up support. But reports say central bank governor Rafael Buenaventura is also a fan of texting.
Japan's funny money
The Bank of Japan's recent high-profile presence in the foreign exchange market has attracted enough popular interest to become the latest topic in Golgo 13, a series in the Big Comic magazine targeted at Japanese salarymen.
Spain's Paramo gets ECB green light
Eurozone finance ministers decided on Thursday March 25 to propose Spain's Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo to the European Central Bank's Executive Board.
Fed's Kohn on monetary policy
In a speech on 'Monetary Policy in a Time of Macroeconomic Transition' given on 25 March, Donald Kohn of the Federal Reserve said the Fed should make sure inflation has stabilised and labour market slack is easing before raising interest rates from their…