Central Banks
Decision looming on Iraqi currency
The Iraqi currency has collapsed along with the government. In an article published by Associated Press, Professor Steve Hanke says the currency issue is an urgent one and should be a high priority for Jay Garner and his team of U.S. administrators in…
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, April 2003
The Federal Reserve Beige Book released on 23 April reported that the US economy remained becalmed during the war with Iraq, as geopolitical uncertainty and bad weather conspired to keep consumers at home.
RBNZ lowers interest rates 0.25% amid slowdown
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand reduced its OCR rate to 5.50 per cent on 24 April. Speaking after the decision Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said "With the passage of time, we are now more confident that inflationary pressures will ease, which is…
HKMA's Euro Clearing System goes live
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority's new Euro Clearing System will process its first transaction on 28 April. The key functions of the Euro Clearing System will include an interbank Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system.
Greenspan' reply to Bush re Fed appointment
Statement by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan in response to the President's comments on his term in office, 23 April.
Boston Fed's Cathy Minehan on the economic outlook
In a speech to the Boston Economic Outlook Conference Cathy Minehan of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston said while she expects that the national economy will regain momentum in the second half of the year and that investment, particularly in the…
BoJ drawing up plan to bolster capital adequacy
The Bank of Japan is planning to ask the Finance Ministry if it can increase the level of its capital reserves to offset the adverse impact from a growing amount of stocks and other riskier assets, according to the Asahi Shimbun.
Blair to rule out early referendum on euro
A report in the Financial Times says a deal has been reached between the UK chancellor Gordon Brown and the prime minister Tony Blair on the issue of a referendum on the euro.
Russian cb calls for liberalisation of forex rules
Russia's central bank plans a gradual liberalisation of currency regulations, chairman Sergey Ignatiyev said on Tuesday 23 April, according to a report by the Iinterfax News Agency.
Iraq central bank described as a 'burned out husk'
A short report from Associated Press included details of the current state of the Central Bank of Iraq. The report said all nine floors of the central bank have collapsed.
U.S. impressed with Brazil's anti-inflation stance
Brazil's central bank chief Henrique Meirelles met John Snow, the US treasury secretary, on Tuesday 22 April, according to Rreuters. Snow expressed support for Brazil's efforts at controlling inflation.
'Work longer' says Bank of Greece's Garganas
Governor Nikos Garganas of Greece's central bank said on Tuesday 22 April that his people must learn to work more and that the retirement age should be raised, according to Kathimerini.
Greenspan may try for a fifth term as Fed chief
Alan Greenspan, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, said on Wednesday 23 April that he would accept another term as Fed chairman if nominated by the White House, according to Bloomberg News. "The president and I have not discussed this but I greatly…
Research themes at the Bank of Canada, 2003
The Bank of Canada presents a summary of major research themes for 2003. Studies will continue on various aspects of inflation dynamics including extensions to earlier work on New Keynesian Phillips curves and developing more sophisticated approaches to…
Bank of England MPC Minutes 9/10 April 03
Minutes of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee Meeting were released on 23 April for the meeting of 9 and 10 April 2003. The minutes show that MPC members voted 7-2 in favour of maintaining interest rates at their current levels. Christopher…
Moskow on US economy and corporate governance
In a speech on 'Breaking Down the Breakdown of Corporate Governance: Incentives, Information, and a Rational Course for Policy' Michael Moskow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said the long-term prospects for our economy are bright. The U.S…
Riksbank's Persson on monetary policy
In a speech on 'Monetary policy and labour supply' Kristina Persson of the Sveriges Riksbank said monetary policy cannot directly affect production's potential, long-term growth rate. However, it can indirectly lay the foundation for a good development…
Japan's PM says 1-2 % inflation good for economy
Junichiro Koizumi said at the weekend that rises of around one to two per cent annually would benefit the economy and price falls are not "desirable", Reuters reports.
EU central bankers may face EFC sidelining
A proposal has been made to exclude central bankers from some discussions of the influential Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), according to a report from Online. The proposal is designed to prevent the EFC from becoming unwieldy after 10 more…
Mexico to auction $32 m per day in reserves
The Bank of Mexico intends to sell part of its reserves each day for the next three months in a move designed to stem the growth of its international reserves, according to a report by Reuters.
Fed's Parry: Fed has room to cut rates if needed
San Francisco Fed president Robert Parry, a voting member of the FOMC, has said the Federal Reserve still has room to lower interest rates "if things weren't coming together in the economy", according to Dow Jones.
Greenspan's surgery successful, says US Fed
Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has undergone surgery. The Fed said on Tuesday April 22 that the operation was successful and he should be back in his office later this week, according to a Reuters report.
Bush in favour of another term for Greenspan
US president Bush has said he backs Alan Greenspan for reappointment as chairman of the Federal Reserve. Bush is quoted by the Financial Times as telling reporters "I think Alan Greenspan should get another term".
Bank of England minutes show 2 votes for rate cut
Minutes of the Bank of England's April meeting show two members of the MPC voted for interest rate cuts and the committee signalling next month's meeting could be crucial for the direction of interest rates, as members would have various new data…