News
Bank of Colombia rate-setters air inflation concerns
Board of directors unanimously left policy rate unchanged but discussion over inflationary pressures as revealed by minutes shows split over severity of threat
Aussie demand surges following recent RBA rate cut
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to cut interest rates on May 1 led to a sharp fall in the Australian dollar, but has also caused an uptick in demand for the currency, according to FX traders and strategists in the region
JP Morgan loss flags shortcomings of Volcker rule
Questions raised after chief executive claims new regulation would not have prevented the risky trades that caused JP Morgan to lose $2 billion; first version of regulation may have, says Caprio
Have your say on the next governor of the BoE
CentralBanking.com is running a poll asking about the credentials Mervyn King’s successor should possess
Differing growth predictions demonstrate uneven global recovery
European Commission estimates 0.3% contraction for eurozone GDP; Lithuania and Thailand meanwhile revise growth estimates upwards
New coins celebrate leadership change in Taiwan
Taiwanese central bank announces minting of gold and silver commemorative coins in recognition of the new president and vice-president
BoE holds fire on rates and quantitative easing
Benchmark rate and asset purchase programme unchanged; market looks to inflation figures next week for hints on MPC thought pattern
Bernanke says stronger banks will lead to 'robust' economy
Fed chair outlines progress made by financial sector; says improved credit conditions will play a part in creating a robust economy in the US
Bank of Spain plays down bank nationalisation talk
Spanish central bank says customers and depositors of Banco Financiero y de Ahorros have "no cause for concern" as the possible use of public funds to stabilise the firm is discussed
New Zambian banknotes will not feature a portrait
Bank of Zambia confirms rebased notes will not portray the image of any person; businesses urged to update systems ahead of changeover date
EFSF withholds funds as pressure increases on Greece
EFSF withholds €1 billion of emergency payout to Greece as voters revolt against austerity measures; ECB’s Nowotny warns time is running out
HM The Queen confirms banking ring fence plan
UK set to see controversial ring fence between retail and investment banking operations introduced after Queen includes the plan in her annual speech before the government
Central Bank of Ireland issues new €20 gold coin
Irish central bank launches commemorative €20 coin; monastic art features on the coin, of which 12,000 will be issued
Central Bank of Brazil blasts report of lost autonomy
Brazilian governor Alexandre Tombini defends central bank in the face of a newspaper article claiming the institution has lost its autonomy
IMF report backs 'appropriate' Swiss currency floor
IMF supports Swiss National Bank currency floor policy; says floor is “appropriate" and discusses relative success to date
New deputy governor notes increasing Swedish economic dependency
Kerstin af Jochnick describes points of importance relating to monetary policy and financial stability; highlights growing dependency of Sweden on events abroad
Bahrain modernises cheque truncation system
Central Bank of Bahrain announces same day cheque clearing system will go live on May 13; system is part of initiative to improve efficiency and confidence in cheques
First CSDs sign T2S Framework Agreement
Senior European Central Bank officials commend first nine European central securities depositories to sign Framework Agreement for T2S central settlement project
Malawi devalues kwacha to boost economy
Malawi ends peg to dollar; hopes to speed government’s efforts to restart International Monetary Fund aid programme
Lagarde calls for ‘gradual’ austerity moves
Lagarde calls for gradual and country-specific approach to austerity; says supply-side measures needed to achieve sustainable growth
Estonia issues 50 million new coins
Bank of Estonia announces increased stock of 1- and 2-cent coins; also discusses new role in producing euro banknotes
BoE’s Tucker calls for international co-operation on bank resolution
Deputy governor of the Bank of England highlights challenges for policy-makers in setting up international resolution regimes and calls for cross-border vetting of resolution mechanisms
Bank of Lithuania names Rūta Rodzko director of economics and financial stability
Restructuring at Bank of Lithuania sees Rūta Rodzko appointed to lead new economics and financial stability service
Asian central banks urged to keep interest rates on hold
Chief economist of the Asian Development Bank urges caution from policy-makers regarding interest rates; says impact of eurozone bank deleveraging already incorporated into ADB’s growth forecasts