News
China ranks US Dlr as No 1 component of reserves
CHINA - People's Bank of China Governor Dai Xianglong on Tuesday ranked U.S. dollars as the major component of the country's foreign reserves, ahead of the euro and yen.
Better not bank on Afghani
AFGHANISTAN - Abdul Qadeer Fitrat has been appointed acting governor of Da Afghanistan Bank.
Bankers quizzed over money laundering
FRANCE - Daniel Bouton, chairman of Societe Generale, the French bank, has became the latest in a long line of prominent French businesspeople to fall foul of the country's investigating magistrates.
Blair and Straw in euro entry talks
UK - Britain yesterday held talks about the euro with Denmark and Sweden, the two other EU countries that are outside the eurozone.
China c bank chief vows reform as banker is sacked
CHINA - Central bank chief Dai Xianglong vowed on Tuesday to push gradual reforms and tighter supervision in China's first year as a WTO member as he confirmed the sacking and probe of a top commercial banker over problem loans.
IMF Press Briefing on Argentina
PRESS BRIEFING - Transcript of a Press Briefing (Teleconference) on Argentina given by Anne O. Krueger, First Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C. 11 January 2002.
Argentina lashes out at IMF
ARGENTINA - The interim government in Argentina has criticised the International Monetary Fund and asked it to let them get on with trying to dig the country out of its economic crisis.
Minehan - Data suggest slowdown bottoming out
US - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Cathy Minehan said Friday that the U.S. economy slowdown appears to be reaching its end and that recovery may be in sight.
Greenspan sees risks in path to recovery
US - In his first speech on the economy in months, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan sounded considerably more cautious about recovery prospects than private forecasters and even fellow Fed policy makers.
Pakistan central bank governor announces new plan
PAKISTAN - As of 1 July, 2002, all non-banking financial services in Pakistan, such as investment and corporate advisory service; leasing, housing finance and venture capital companies and discount houses, will be regulated by the Securities and Exchange…
Gov't intends changes to Poland's MPC and c bank
POLAND - Poland's ruling coalition, a tripartite of social democrats, agrarians and labor, followed a Wednesday no-decision from Poland's Monetary Policy Council on rates with plans to force monetary loosening on the Council through legislation.
Reserve Bank liberalises money changing in India
INDIA - The central Indian bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has liberalised money changing facilities.
Euros become majority currency in Ireland
IRELAND - The amount of euros in circulation has for the first time surpassed the amount of pounds in circulation, according to latest figures from the Central Bank of Ireland. At close of business on Thursday, the Central Bank had issued 148 million…
Vice governor appointed to Slovak central bank
SLOVAKIA - Tatra Banka board member Ivan Sramko was appointed a new central bank (NBS) vice-governor by Slovak President Rudolf Schuster in Bratislava on Friday.
Bahrain host meeting of Islamic money market group
BAHRAIN - Board members of the planned International Islamic Financial Market are to hold their first meeting in Bahrain on Tuesday to discuss steps to set up the market, Bahrain's central bank said on Monday.
International bankruptcy scheme 'easy to set up'
UK - An international bankruptcy procedure for governments could be set up quickly and easily while protecting key public services from creditors, according to a report from a leading campaign group.
Banknote and Coin Circulation Figures - Ireland
PRESS RELEASE - Banknote and Coin Circulation Figures, 8 January 2002.
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Update on the euro cash changeover, 11 January 2002.
Argentina's peso trades again
ARGENTINA - After three weeks which have seen Argentina default on its debts, four presidents come and go, and rioting spread in the streets, the country's currency markets are again open for business.
Yen's fall risks Malaysia devaluation
MALAYSIA - Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said his country may be forced to devalue the ringgit, if the Japanese yen continues to decline in value.
Greenspan: non-discrimination good for business
US - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Thursday that discrimination in lending and other aspects of financial life simply makes for bad business.
Reserves up by $200m
RUSSIA - Russia's gold and foreign exchange reserves rose by $200 million to $36.7b in the week to 4 January 2002, up from $36.5b on 28 December 2001.
Poole - Job losses can rise after recovery starts
US - Recent economic data suggest that the U.S. economy has already seen the worst of the current recession, though the data show little sign about the timing and strength of an economic recovery, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President William Poole…
Potmesil might become CNB Board member - Report
CZECH REP - Deputy Finance Minister Tomas Potmesil might become a hot candidate for the post of a member of the Czech National Bank (CNB) Board if President Vaclav Havel does not renew the mandate of CNB vice-governor Ludek Niedermayer, daily Pravo says…