News
ECB opinion of proposed member of Executive Board
At the 1 April meeting of the Governing Council of the ECB it adopted an opinion on a recommendation from the Council of the European Union on the appointment of a new member of its Executive Board.
ECB questions and answers
The European Central Bank held interest rates unchanged at its meeting on 1 April. Jean-Claude Trichet told the afternoon press conference the ECB's key rates remain "in line with the maintenance of price stability" in the eurozone, although recent…
Japanese Tankan report shows signs of improvement
There are further signs of economic recovery in Japan, with a key measure of Japanese business confidence at its highest level in seven years.
IMF warns of Philippines debt crisis
The International Monetary Fund has expressed "serious concerns" over the Philippines government's budget and indebtedness in a report.
Fed says Greenspan in 'fine' health
The Federal Reserve has dismissed the rumour which swept financial markets on Wednesday 31 March that Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan had suffered a heart attack.
Top Islamic bankers meeting in Bali
The Islamic world's top central bankers are meeting in Bali to tackle problems ranging from personnel to paperwork that hinder Islamic banking.
Brazil doesn't plan to renew IMF accord, Meirelles
The Brazilian government doesn't plan to renew a $14.8 billion loan accord with the International Monetary Fund that expires this year, as it is accumulating foreign reserves, central bank president Henrique Meirelles said.
IADB conference opens in Peru
Finance ministers and central bank presidents from 46 nations are meeting in Lima to participate in the Inter-American Development Bank conference, which opened on Monday 29 March.
Eurozone inflation remains at four-year low
Inflation in the 12-nation eurozone stood at a four-year low point of 1.6 percent in March, unchanged from February, Eurostat said in a preliminary estimate on Wednesday 31 March.
BSP raises $500M from foreign banks
The Philippine central bank said on Wednesday 31 March that it has raised 500 million dollars in financing from a syndicate of eight foreign banks.
Eurozone to recover despite mixed signals
Slow consumer spending is casting a shadow over the short-term outlook for the eurozone economy, the European Commission said in a report, agreeing with concerns expressed by the European Central Bank.
Venezuela central bank against reserves plan
Venezuela's central bank has again repeated its opposition to President Hugo Chavez's plan to deprive the bank of its autonomy and take $7 billion of international reserves to fund projects and social programs.
Japan denies scrapping yen policy
Japan's Ministry of Finance has taken the unusual step of denying a report on The Times newspaper's website that Japan's campaign to suppress the rise of the yen against the dollar had 'officially' ended.
New Zealand cb's reserves boosted
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand will receive an extra NZ$1.9 billion (US$1.2 billion) in foreign exchange "for the purpose of stabilising the foreign exchange market in a period of, or to avoid, market dysfunction," Michael Cullen, the finance minister,…
Edwards to replace Carson as IMF statistics head
Anne Krueger, acting managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since Horst Kohler resigned, is to appoint Rob Edwards, an Australian, to replace Carol Carson as the IMF's head of statistics.
BoE's s Barker: no need to raise rates
A high inflation forecast does not mean the Bank of England has to raise rates, a member of its rate-setting monetary policy committee told a Scottish newspaper, as figures released today showed the UK housing boom continuing apace.
Economy vulnerable to rate rise says Forum
Following a meeting in Rome, chaired by Fed vice chairman Roger Ferguson, the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) issued a generally upbeat assessment of the global economy but highlighted worries about excessive levels of debt and capital flows to emerging…
Federal Reserve to close Columbia branch
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's regional office in Columbia will close in August, it was announced earlier this month.
FSF: global economy vulnerable to rate rises
Following a meeting in Rome, chaired by Fed vice chairman, Roger Ferguson, the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) issued a generally upbeat assessment of the global economy but highlighted worries about excessive levels of debt and capital flows to emerging…
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.