News
Central bankers gather in Davos for World Economic Forum
Central banking is a hot topic at this year's World Economic Forum; attendees of the event discuss issues in Russia, Poland, China and more
Sarb proposes further adjustments to open market operations
South African Reserve Bank wants to allocate amounts tendered by banks in repo auctions on a pro rata basis, to enhance efficiency of its monetary policy operations
Finland commemorates the end of the markka
New book describes the history of Finnish banknotes and museum exhibition displays competition entries for past currency design contests
Bernanke to give student lectures
Chairman of the Federal Reserve will deliver a series of lectures to university students in the US
Fed communication overhaul reveals split in rate forecasts
Federal Reserve survey of individual policy-makers’ interest rate expectations shows five-year split on when to make first federal funds rate rise; Fed falls short of inflation target
Battle for ECB executive board seat underway
Question of whether next executive board member will break tradition and come from outside the biggest European economies lingers; finance ministers yet to pick favourite from candidates
Bangladesh Bank calls on government to borrow less
Bangladesh central bank wants to bring inflation to single digits and halt foreign currency reserve “depletion”; hopes government borrowing will not “crowd out” available liquidity in banking system
Tajikistan announces enhanced payments systems
National Bank of Tajikistan launches national processing centre' striving to bring banking services up to date
Trichet to join board of aerospace group EADS, say reports
Former European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet linked to seat on board of Franco-German aerospace and defence group EADS
Russia gears up for central securities depository
Russian central securities depository (CSD) could be ready by the end of 2012, although there is more work to be done
Exclusive: Ex-Kosovo governor recalls ‘surprise’ arrest
Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo’s former governor Hashim Rexhepi recounts his 18-month battle with prosecuters over alleged corruption; says he will seek compensation for his ordeal
ECB faces pressure to take haircut on Greek debt
Institute of International Finance and International Monetary Fund discuss option of official sector involvement for Greek bondholders, as negotiations with private sector fail to reach conclusion
IMF criticises Hungary over policy 'missteps'
International Monetary Fund Article IV consultations says Hungarian economy is in perilous state; country must push ahead with structural reforms and reverse a central bank law to receive funding
World Gold Council predicts ‘record year’ for central bank gold purchases
Trend of central banks being net purchasers to continue; latest update from World Gold Council predicts ‘record year’ of buying
Thailand blames floods and ‘likely’ eurozone recession for rate cut
Bank of Thailand drops benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3%; says recession now "likely" in the eurozone
South African bank creates new role for ex-central banker
FirstRand bank appoints former SARB deputy registrar of the banks Yvette Singh as public regulatory affairs executive
IMF fears eurozone crisis will stall global recovery
World Economic Outlook slashes growth projections for 2012 as downside risks to eurozone economy intensify; IMF warns spill-over effects could slow economic activity globally
King sees ‘no reason to despair’ over world economy
Governor of the Bank of England acknowledges ‘serious’ situation global economy is in, but says there is a way forward; despite fall in inflation the year ahead will not be easy, King says
Zambia raises capital ratio for banks and rebases currency
Bank of Zambia reveals government decision to hike capital requirements for banks operating in the country; three zeros also to be slashed from value of banknotes
RBI’s Subbarao says eurozone situation better than expected
Governor of the Reserve Bank of India says Indian corporates report better conditions in Europe than feared; central bank lowers cash reserve ratio for banks to ease liquidity situation
ECB in talks with dealers on buying inflation-linked bonds
Dealers will present their case as to why the ECB should buy linkers as well as nominal bonds in a conference call today
David Miles retains seat on UK Monetary Policy Committee
David Miles re-appointed as an external member of the MPC; new term to run until 2012
BoE and Treasury Committee clash over accountability
Treasury Select Committee rebuffs Bank of England proposal on accountability reforms; chair Andrew Tyrie sets out three main areas of disagreement between the two bodies
EU freezes assets of Iranian central bank
EU follows US lead by announcing strict new sanctions on Iranian central bank; heart of action is to limit the country’s nuclear programme