News
ECB reform mustn't lead to large member dominance
HOLLAND - Enlargement of the European Union and the euro zone will require reform of the European Central Bank and its governing council, but this mustn't result in a dominant position for the larger euro-zone members, Dutch central bank president Nout…
Belgian bank to start coin-collecting soon
BELGIUM - The Belgian National Bank (BNB) and the Belgian General Commission for the euro will launch a coin-collecting operation from October 15, 2001 to November 15, 2001, during which Belgians will be able to exchange coins for euro.
Argentine deposits up $257 mln to $75.09 bln
ARGENTINA - Total deposits in Argentina's banking system rose $257 million to $75.09 billion on 29 August, according to preliminary data released by the central bank.
Summary of the latest opinion polls on EMU
UK - Euro zone citizens are becoming more aware the euro will replace national currencies in 2002 but are also growing more concerned about possible price rises, according to a European Commission survey published on 3 September.
Russia to convert reserves of D-marks into euros
RUSSIA - Russia's central bank will convert a small part of its foreign currency reserves into euros following Europe's transition to its new currency, bank chairman Viktor Gerashchenko said on 3 September.
Visa expects global slowdown to weigh on card use
CHINA - The worldwide growth in sales involving Visa credit cards is expected to slow next year in line with a global economic slowdown, Visa International Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Williamson said 3 September.
MPs asked to allow arrest of Ukraine bank chief
UKRAINE - Parliament has received the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office request for consent to arrest and prosecute the former Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko.
IMF seeks to monitor Japan bank system
JAPAN - The International Monetary Fund has asked Japan for permission to send inspectors to monitor the country's banking system, in the latest sign of mounting worries about the Asian economic power's stability.
Online training to fight money laundering
UK - A new online training programme is being launched to try and prevent money laundering in the UK.
Japanese prices spiral downwards
JAPAN - Japan's economic gloom has deepened further with news that consumer prices fell in July for the 22nd straight month.
EU commission worries over euro
EUROPE - European monetary affairs commissioner Pedro Solbes Mira has admitted his concerns about the introduction of the new currency.
Shiokawa hints at currency intervention
JAPAN - Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa suggested today, 31 August, that the government might intervene in the currency market to halt the appreciation of the yen.
Fed says coupon pass added $642 million reserves
UNITED STATES - The Federal Reserve said on 30 August it added $642 million permanent banking reserves through its purchase of U.S. Treasury securities dated Nov. 15, 2008 through Feb. 15, 2021, for delivery today, 31 August.
BIS for ex head says gold lending is well ordered
EUROPE - Giacomo Panizzutti, head of foreign exchange at BIS, told The Alchemist quarterly this week that gold lending by the 15 European central bank signatories of a 1999 Washington accord "was 2,119.32 tonnes and, in accordance with the agreement, has…
Philippines faces money laundering law deadline
PHILIPPINES - The Philippines will ask an international agency fighting money laundering to delay its sanctions if Manila fails to pass a law against laundering by a September 30 deadline.
Chile cen bank intervenes to prop up peso
CHILE - The Chilean Central Bank intervened in the currency market today, 31 August, selling millions of dollars to defend the peso for the second time this week, traders said.
World Bank to borrow gold
UK - The World Bank is set to issue its first gold bond, according to informed sources in London. The bond is aimed to attract investment from central banks, notably in emerging markets. The agents are Goldman Sachs/J. Aron, the big US investment bank (J…
ECB cuts interest rates
EUROPE - The European Central Bank has cut interest rates by a quarter of a point to 4.25%.
ECB press release - Monetary policy decisions
At today's meeting the Governing Council of the ECB took the following monetary policy decisions:
Domingo Solans - Mass media campaign
EURO - Domingo Solans: Press conference on the occasion of the unveiling of the euro banknotes and their security features. Presentation of the mass media campaign including a brief overview of the Euro 2002 Information Campaign, Frankfurt, 30 August.
Domingo Solans - Euro notes and security features
EURO - Domingo Solans: Press conference on the occasion of the unveiling of the euro banknotes and their security features. Introductory remarks on the euro banknotes and their security features, Frankfurt, 30 August.
The unveiling of euro banknotes - Duisenberg
EURO - Wim Duisenberg: Press conference on the occasion of the unveiling of the euro banknotes and their security features. Introductory statement, Frankfurt, 30 August.
Japan moves closer to recession
JAPAN - Steep falls in industrial production and retail sales in July have pushed Japan closer to official recession, figures showed on 30 August.
Countdown to euro cash
EUROPE - The European Central Bank begins its campaign today, 30 August, to persuade the 300 million citizens of the eurozone to recognise - and love - their new currency.