News
Hungary's Jarai: euro accession by 2008 difficult
President of the National Bank of Hungary Zsigmond Jarai said on Monday 23 February that considerable sacrifices will need to be made if Hungary is to join the eurozone in 2008.
US - China group on currency to meet this week
A six-member US delegation will meet with officials from the People's Bank of China this week to discuss various financial issues including currency and banking matters.
Norges Bank's accounts for 2003
Norges Bank's annual accounts for 2003 show a surplus of NOK 20.8 billion, compared with a deficit of NOK 24.1 billion in 2002. Norges Bank said that no transfer will be made to the Treasury from the Transfer Fund.
IMF managing director Horst Kohler to visit Asia
International Monetary Fund managing director, Horst Kohler, will travel to Japan and Korea in late February to meet with leaders and senior government officials.
US consumers in good shape, says Greenspan
Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Monday 23 February that the US household sector seemed to be in good shape. Homeowners have done well, with their total debt burden kept under control.
McTeer says Fed wording moves focus from calendar
Dallas Federal Reserve President Robert McTeer said on Saturday 21 February that the shift in the wording of the FOMC's statement represented a an effort to force financial markets to focus on economic conditions rather than on time.
BOJ's Iwata: Inflation at 1-2% would be stable
Deputy Governor of the bank of Japan Kazumasa Iwata said in an interview that the BOJ will probably keep interest rates near zero until consumer prices rise about 1 to 2 per cent.
BIS offers to manage Philippines reserves- reports
The Philippines central bank is studying a BIS proposal to manage the country's gross international reserves. A source at the BSP said the BIS expressed interest in acting as its "external fund manager".
RBA tackles hidden fees in credit cards
The Reserve Bank of Australia ruled on Monday 23 February that Visa's debit card was a payments system and covered by the Payment Systems Act, allowing the bank to set standards for the card.
Mel Gibson's father: 'Greenspan should be lynched'
Well-known Hollywood Actor Mel Gibson is about to release a new movie, but in a bizarre interview his father has made some outrageous comments, including a mention for Alan Greenspan.
Bank Indonesia seeks replacement deputy governor
President Director ECW Nelloe of Bank Mandiri said on Wednesday (18 Feb) that he was not prepared to be nominated for the post of senior deputy governor of Bank Indonesia.
Poor Don Brash splattered with mud
Don Brash planned to take his message direct to the people after recent problems saw him accused of "Maori bashing". But all was not plain sailing for the former RBNZ chief.
'Toshihiko Goldilocks' world's top central banker
According to The Economist this week, Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui is the world's best central banker. Fukui was prised for steering monetary policy in the right direction while his counterparts at the ECB and Fed came in for criticism.
BI aims for skills increase in staff
Supervisory staff at Bank Indonesia will be required to receive competence certificates under new measures to improve the banking industry.
Gerashchenko to co-chair of Russians Regions Party
Former chief of the Russian Central Bank Viktor Gerashchenko was elected co-chairman of the Russian Regions Party on Monday (15 Feb). The decision was made by the party's congress, after Sergey Glazyev was booted from the post.
Cleveland Fed's Pianalto reveals basketball link
Visiting a school recently, Cleveland Fed President Sandra Pianalto was mobbed for autographs by the schoolchildren who crowded round her.
Udovicki's future at NBS still in balance
The Serbian Parliament began a debate on proposed changes to legislation on presidential elections on Thursday (19 Feb). Parliament completed debate on the appointment of the National Bank governor but has yet to put it to a vote.
Doubts over Jamaica monetary committee
Bank of Jamaica governor Derick Latibeaudiere has raised doubts over Jamaica's readiness for a monetary policy committee, citing the central bank's lack of independence in controlling monetary policy tools.
Gjedrem says further rate cuts possible
Giving his annual "state of the economy" speech on Thursday 19 February, Norges Bank Chief Svein Gjedrem said he did not exclude the possibility of even further interest cuts this year.
Dallas's McTeer on inflation targets
Dallas Fed president Bob McTeer said on Thursday 19 February that inflation targets were a marketing tool not needed by the Fed, and opposed lobbying to float China's currency.
Czech PM does not see euro entry before 2009
Czech Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla has said his country will aim to adopt the euro by 2009 at the earliest. This is two years later than the timetable agreed last year.
ECB's Liebscher doesn't rule out intervention
ECB Governing Council member Klaus Liebscher said Friday that foreign currency intervention by the ECB could never be ruled out but would not be discussed in public ahead of time.
Minutes from the Sveriges Riksbank Meeting, 5 Feb
Minutes of the Sveriges Riksbank Executive Board meeting on 5 February, published 19 February. The minutes pointed to a continued strengthening in international economic activity. Deputy Governor Kristina Persson entered a reservation against the…
ECB won't burst bubbles says Issing
Otmar Issing said on Wednesday 18 February that the ECB would not use monetary policy to burst speculative bubbles in eurozone asset prices as such a move would have a negative effect on the real economy.