Feature
Eastern Europe's risky credit boom
Sky-rocketing lending is a real worry for policymakers, but with one eye on the euro, their options are limited writes Dubravko Mihaljek
Questions Governor Fukui still needs to answer
Unanswered questions arising from the Murakami affair still threaten the Bank of Japan's credibility, writes Hisashi Harui
The new dilemma facing central banks
Central bankers have been praised for low inflation but how much credit do they deserve? As the global economy takes a turn for the worse, we will soon find out says John Nugee
Time for a monetary policy rethink
A succession of asset bubbles show the folly of too strict a focus on inflation. Central bankers should be more flexible, says Stephen Roach
Bank beds in its new money market
Paul Brione spoke with Paul Tucker on the completion of a major project at the bank of England
A world out of balance
America’s deficits may not herald disaster says Angel Ubide, but should lead to questioning national monetary policy frameworks.
A strong case for regional monetary cooperation
Charles Wyplosz looks at how policy at the regional level can underpin efforts to unwind global imbalances.
East Asia’s policy dilemmas
Regional cooperation on exchange rates would suit East Asia, but poor relations between China and Japan mean it is unlikely, argues Yung Chul Park
Challenging the Washington Consensus
Blaming the other side is not the way for the major economic players to tackle global imbalances, says Richard Portes.
A few thoughts on the global situation
Policymakers around the world must act to restore order to the global economy says Jacques de Larosière.
The difficult choice of an inflation target
Although “headline” measures of inflation are more volatile than “core” measures, central banks are increasingly adopting them as targets. Stall writer Malan Rietveld finds out why.
A new way to manage commodity - based wealth
Rapid growth in the size and number of national commodity funds means a new approach to managing them is required, says Andrew Rozanov.
How to manage the 21st-century central bank
John Mendzela sets out the management practices central banks need to succeed in the future, and how to change successfully.
Central banks should close the governance gap
Central banks seem reluctant to adopt prevailing private-sector “best practice” in governance, but there are benefits in doing so says Jeremy Foster.
Fukui prepares to raise rates
Raising rates in Japan’s unbalanced economy will test Governor Fukui’s skills to the limit, says Andrew Smithers. But he is on the right track so far.
Dates slide for euro hopefuls
Assistant editor Nick Carver surveys the progress – or in some cases the lack of it – of the ten countries that joined the EU in 2004.
Weber reveals his monetary policy stance
Axel Weber set out his thinking on the role of monetary policy and interest rates in three speeches in March. Stephen Frowen and Elias Karakitsos report.
Government debt gears up for change
Paul Brione charts the rise in profile, professionalism and autonomy of government debt offices.
When 364 economists were wrong
Paul Brione looks back at controversy surrounding the 1981 budget – famously opposed by 364 economists, including a certain Mervyn King.
On the record: Lawrence Summers
Lawrence Summers offers his reflections on global account imbalances and reserve accumulation in emerging markets.
Asia’s bonny bond markets
Asian central banks have been actively promoting domestic bond markets. Anthony Rowley reports.
Tokyo disputes inflation targets
Disputes between the central bank and Ministry of Finance continue to stymie Japanese policymaking. Thomas Cargill and Federico Guerrero explain.
The Bank of Japan’s high-wire act
An end to deflation is in sight, but Japan’s monetary-policy makers still fear the dangers of a collapse of the yen and of the bond markets, says Andrew Smithers.
Over a barrel no more
Compared to the shocks of the 1970s, the world economy has taken recent record oil prices in its stride. Sebastian Dullien and Mark Schieritz investigate why.