News
Hong Kong needs “real” central bank: opposition politician
Co-founder of Hong Kong's main opposition says Hong Kong Monetary Authority must be given greater powers if territory is to maintain status as global financial centre
Rate decisions this week
The majority of central banks that reviewed rates this week made no change, pointing to the need for a sustainable recovery
Crisis calls for more active regulation : MAS head
Monetary Authority of Singapore's Heng Swee Keat calls for central banks to examine business models and strategies
Bank compromises with £25 billion QE expansion
Bank of England rate-setters vote for moderate expansion of quantitative easing, citing conflicting economic pressures
CIC set to shift focus to emerging markets: academic
Academic with ties to Beijing's sovereign wealth fund says China to turn to Africa, Middle East and Asia
Iceland cuts rates on krona strength
The Central Bank of Iceland shears rates and hints at further reductions as the krona regains stability
MAS reserve chief backs move into riskier assets
Monetary Authority of Singapore's Lee Chuan Teck says crisis had failed to dispel faith in diversification despite large mark-to-market losses
Fed remains guarded on rate hike
Federal Open Market Committee keeps key rate and tone unchanged; caps agency debt purchase programme at $175 billion
Ireland needs clearer macroprudential mandate: OECD
OECD calls for the development of more effective macroprudential instruments
RBS and Lloyds to get £39.2 billion more
The part-nationalised banks are set to receive up to £39.2 billion in additional support measures announced on Tuesday
Nigeria tackles subdued growth
Nigeria’s central bank holds rates, but introduces a corridor around key rate to encourage lending
Chinese demand spurring east Asian growth: World Bank
Report says China fueling resurgence; cautions on performance elsewhere
India buys 200 tonnes of IMF gold
The Reserve Bank of India purchases just under half of the IMF’s sale quota for $6.7 billion
Australia hikes rates again
The Reserve Bank of Australia raises cash rate by 0.25% for the second time since October; Stevens says the worst is over
European Commission optimistic on recovery
Autumn forecast for 2009-2011 suggests gradual recovery
IMF upbeat on Hong Kong
GDP predicted to grow 5% next year after 2% contraction in 2009, says IMF
Too early for global exit strategy - Saudi chief
Muhammad Al-Jasser, governor of Saudi Arabia’s central bank, cautions against a rushed withdrawal from expansionary measures
Botswana’s Mohohlo looks set to stay
Botswana’s governor Linah Mohohlo to remain in office past the expiry of her current term, central bank spokesman confirms
Narrow banking would create more instability: FSA’s Turner
Adair Turner, the head of Britain’s financial regulator, says narrow banking is not the solution because it fails to understand the root problem in the sector
Former Bank MPC members play down negative GDP number
Willem Buiter and Charles Goodhart dismiss third-quarter growth statistic; push for moderate expansion of quantitative-easing programme
Iceland begins dismantling capital controls
Central Bank of Iceland takes first step towards capital-account liberalisation
Japan shifts liquidity focus to loans
The Bank of Japan will extend low interest corporate loans to March, but halt purchases of commercial paper and corporate bond at year-end
Paul Jenkins to leave Bank of Canada
Paul Jenkins, senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, will leave the central bank when his current term expires in April 2010
Bank of Portugal launches new website
The Bank of Portugal has unveiled a new and more user-friendly portal