News
ECB's Papademos sees faster eurozone growth
European Central Bank Vice President Lucas Papademos said at the weekend that economic growth in the dozen euro member countries may be faster in coming quarters than has previously been forecast.
Ex-BOJ official says G7 to share views with China
The Group of Seven major economies are likely to seek to share views on the world economy with China in a financial meeting later this week rather than to negotiate on any specific issues, a former Bank of Japan executive has said.
3rd SEACEN payment systems meeting ends
The 3rd Meeting of Southeast Asian Central Bank (SEACEN), Directors of Payment and Settlement System and the 3rd SEACEN-CPSS course on `Payment and Settlement for Emerging Economies' ended with a dinner at The Empire Hotel and Country Club in Brunei last…
Ireland's cb admit sflaw in housing model
The Central Bank of Ireland has admitted that the housing model used to produce its first financial stability report last week is flawed. Reports said the current model does not take adequate account of the effect on lenders of a shock to the Irish…
Former governors to give evidence in BCCI case
The Bank of England will call on former governors as it resumes the defence of its role in the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.
Corruption allegations against Zimbabwe's Gono
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has been rocked by allegations of corruption with reports that the Governor, Gideon Gono, has been personally recruiting staff without advertising vacant positions, ZWNews reported this week.
Euromoney award goes to Argentina's Prat-Gay
At the IMF/World Bank meetings in Washington on October 3, Euromoney will present its central bank governor of the year award for 2004 to Alfonso Prat-Gay of Argentina. Request a free trial to view this article from Euromoney's September issue.
BOK sees salaries soar
The Bank of Korea said in a report to the National Assembly that average annual salary has jumped by 46 percent in the last four years.
Bomb threat at SARB
The South African Reserve Bank's head office received a telephoned bomb threat from an anonymous caller between 12 and 12.30 on Friday 17 September, but national payment systems and market operations were not affected.
Revisions to Fed's policy on payments system risk
The Federal Reserve Board announced on Thursday 23 September that it has revised its Policy Statement on Payments System Risk (PSR policy) concerning interest and redemption payments on securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) and…
FOMC Minutes, 10 August
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's 10 August FOMC meeting released on 24 September showed that with interest rates so low and inflation rising, Fed officials saw the need in coming quarters for a "significant" number of interest rate rises.
Switzerland's last tranche of gold sales
In spring 2000, the Swiss National Bank began selling that part of the gold reserves no longer required for monetary policy purposes. The sales - which will total 1,300 tonnes - have to date been effected according to the agreement on gold sales…
Fed won't let budget gap push up prices- Gramlich
Federal Reserve Board Governor Edward Gramlich said on Thursday 23 September that credible monetary policies can prevent large government budget gaps from stoking inflation, and expressed optimism that would be the case in the United States.
Japan to issue anti-counterfeit banknotes
Japan will issue what are described as the world's most advanced anti-counterfeit banknotes on 1 November.
China's Wen says no plan for imminent rate rise
China's Premier Wen Jiabao has ruled out the possibility of an imminent rise in interest rates and added that the country would consider its own macroeconomic situation and inflation before making any decision on rates.
NBP's relations with government 'heating up'
Relations between Poland's government and the central bank's Monetary Policy Council (RPP) are likely to heat up again, Interfax reported, after Economy and Labor Minister Jerzy Hausner called the current monetary policy "improper," saying it threatened…
Removal of BOZ governor 'should be by tribunal'
In a written submission to Zambia's Constitution Review Commission, the governor of the Bank of Zambia Dr Caleb Fundanga said the removal of a central bank governor from office should be by a tribunal constituted by the Chief Justice.
Federal Reserve raises US rates
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 21 September to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 1-3/4 percent. In its press release the FOMC said despite the rise in energy prices, inflation and inflation…
Norges Bank keeps interest rates unchanged
Norges Bank's Executive Board decided on Wednesday 23 September to leave interest rates unchanged. Norges Bank's key interest rate, the sight deposit rate, therefore remains at 1.75 per cent. The overnight lending rate also remains unchanged.
Bank of England voted 9-0 to hold rates in Sept
The Bank of England said on Wednesday 22 September that it voted 9-0 to hold rates at 4.75 per cent in its 8 and 9 September MPC meeting. The Bank noted that recent labour market data was "surprisingly weak," though inflationary pressures were still…
ECB chief sees recovery, warns on deficit easing
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told the Eurpoean Parliament on Wednesday 23 September that the eurozone economy was on track for modest further growth next year but condemned proposals to ease budget rules as "dangerous".
Greece doubles 2000 public defict to 4.1%
The Greek government acknowledged on Wednesday 23 September that the country's annual public deficit estimates from 2000 to 2002 had been sharply underestimated, a revelation described by the European Central Bank head as "an enormous problem".
Hungary's cb chief expects inflation around 7%
Average inflation in 2004 will be "around 7%," but will decline to 4-5% in 2005, Zsigmond Jarai, the president of central bank MNB told parliament's budget committee on Tuesday 21 September.
Irish banking system sound, says cb's Hurley
Speaking at the publication of the central bank of Ireland's Financial Stability Report on Tuesday 21 September, the governor, John Hurley, said: "The central aim of this report is to analyse and assess the overall health of the financial system and to…