Central Banks
Swedish cen bank holds rate, cuts growth forecast
SWEDEN - Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank, left its key repo rate unchanged at 3.75 percent as expected on Wednesday, saying inflation should be in line with its two percent target over the next two years.
Chicago Fed finds U.S. economic gloom deepening
US - An index tracking U.S. economic activity fell in October to its lowest level since the last recession, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said on Wednesday.
US Treasury 'will not dictate policy' to Japan
US - The US will not urge Japan to buy foreign-denominated bonds to stimulate its ailing economy, Kenneth Dam, the deputy US Treasury secretary, said yesterday, Tuesday.
BoC Dodge says low rates best way to support econ
CANADA - Bank of Canada governor David Dodge in a speech on Thursday 29 November said the best way to support the country's economy was to boost growth by cutting interest rates - which is what the central bank was doing.
Speech by Yutaka Yamaguchi of the Bank of Japan
SPEECH - Speech given by Yutaka Yamaguchi, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Japan at the Economic Seminar of the Japan Research Institute, on 26 November.
OECD Economic Survey - Japan
REPORT - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Economic Survey - Japan, Assessment and recommendations.
Eurozone is not delivering growth and jobs
LETTER - A letter published in the London edition of the Financial Times on 4 December. From Professor Tony Thirlwall, Dept of Economics, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
OECD paints gloomy picture of Japan
JAPAN - Japan's economy will remain weak for some time to come as policymakers struggle to implement economic reform in the face of the country's worst slump since the Second World War.
Bank of Spain to open 1 Jan for euro changeover
SPAIN - The Bank of Spain will open its 50 branches for a few hours on 1 January, a public holiday, so that people can change pesetas to euros, it has said.
BOT suing Rerngchai for losses
THAILAND - The Bank of Thailand plans to sue former central-bank governor Rerngchai Marakanond for damages involving the failed defence of the baht that resulted in massive losses, the central-bank's chief said yesterday, Monday.
Pakistan 'set for parallel bank system'
PAKISTAN - Pakistan's central bank yesterday issued a fresh set of requirements for commercial banks intending to provide Islamic banking services, in a step to comply with an order from the country's Supreme Court seeking a conversion to Islamic banking…
Afghan central bank - little left but dollar bills
ARTICLE - A dingy bank vault in the center of this destitute, dust-smudged capital holds the foreign-currency reserves of Afghanistan: $90,000, much of it in single dollar bills. The cash, all that remains of Afghanistan's plundered treasury, was simply…
ECB gold reserves unchanged 30 November
EUROPE - The Eurosystem's net reserves in gold and gold receivables was unchanged at EUR128.23 billion for the week ended 30 November, the European Central Bank said Tuesday.
Swiss SNB sold 8.6 tons gold in 10 days to 30 Nov
SWITZERLAND - The Swiss National Bank said Monday that its gold reserves fell by CHF130 million to CHF33.55 billion in the 10-day reporting period to 30 November 2001.
China's gold mining embraces reshuffle
CHINA - China's gold mining industry plans to form 12 internationally competitive groups by 2005 to meet challenges from the deregulation of the domestic gold market driven by the nation's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Speech by Ian Plenderleith of the Bank of England
SPEECH - Speech by Ian Plenderleith, Executive Director of the Bank of England to the 15th Annual European Finance Convention at The Conrad International Hotel in Brussels on 29 November.
Speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan
SPEECH - Remarks by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan before the Euro 50 Group Roundtable, Washington, D.C., 30 November.
Notice from the Bank of Japan
NOTICE - The Bank of Japan has redesigned its web site, 3 December.
Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting
NEWS RELEASE - Announcement of the Monetary Policy Meeting decisions, 29 November.
Argentina restrict amount of cash bank withdrawals
ARGENTINA - The Argentine government, desperate to stop a hemorrhaging of funds from the banking system, capped cash withdrawals from banks and limited the amount residents may transfer abroad.
Economic Chaos - Who's killing Argentina's Peso?
ARTICLE - Until recently, stable money and sound banking were the two pillars of an otherwise weak Argentine republic. As Argentina confronts its fourth year of recession and finds itself bankrupt, many are now blaming its monetary regime, which…
Greenspan says little doubt euro a sound currency
US - A belief that U.S. productivity, or output per worker, will continue to outstrip Europe's accounts for more robust demand for dollars over euros, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said in a speech on Friday.
BOE - Delivery/ payment system
UK - Bank of England Executive Director for Financial Market Operations, Ian Plenderleith, said Thursday the new delivery versus payment system for the settlement of securities trade in the U.K. was a success.
ECB post findings on how rate moves affect economy
GERMANY - Ordinary Europeans may quickly get used to the new euro notes and coins that begin circulating in a few weeks, but it may be years before the European Central Bank fully understands the functioning of the new economy created by the common…