News
SARB policies here to stay regardless of Zuma
Tito Mboweni, the governor of the South African Reserve Bank, moved to assure markets on Thursday night that inflation targeting would remain whether or not the South African presidency changed hands.
Pre-crunch poll supports Basel II stability claim
The introduction of the Basel II regulatory framework, which has faced a barrage of criticism in the wake of the credit crunch, will make the financial system sounder and encourage better risk management, according to a poll conducted the Professional…
Norway's oil fund avoids FX after recent losses
The Bank of Norway said it would not buy foreign exchange for its sovereign wealth fund, the Government Pension Fund, in December. The announcement follows news that Nkr104.4 billion ($18.9 billion) was knocked off the value of the fund, a store of the…
Old Lady changes tack and steps in with £10bn
The Bank of England said on Thursday that it would lend an extra £10 billion ($20.7 billion) at its benchmark bank rate to allay fears that interbank borrowing costs will shoot up over December.
UK's King gloomy on economic conundrum
Mervyn King, the governor of the Bank of England, said on Thursday that the economic outlook is "uncomfortable" because the problems of the credit crisis are now coupled with burgeoning inflationary pressures.
Eurozone growth stat charts biggest fall this year
A measure of the economic outlook in the euro area indicated on Thursday that growth in the region slowed sharply in November.
UAE governor denies revaluation rumour
Sultan Bin Nasser Al-Suwaidi, the governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, on Thursday moved to deny reports that the central bank would allow the value of the dirham to rise by up to 5% on Sunday.
Czechs hike rates to 3.5%
The Czech National Bank's rate-setting board voted on Thursday to hike rates by 25 basis points to 3.5% after inflation rose to a six-year high in October.
FOMC members disagree on risks to growth
Stock markets around the world rose sharply on Wednesday after Donald Kohn, the vice chairman of the Federal Reserve, suggested that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would cut rates in December. Kohn's comments differ sharply from those made by…
South African inflation rampant despite rate hikes
Two 50 basis point rate hikes have failed to dampen rising inflation in South Africa, new statistics showed on Wednesday.
Poland hikes rates to combat inflation
The National Bank of Poland's rate-setting board voted on Wednesday to raise the benchmark reference rate by 25 basis points to 5% after inflation rose above the central bank's target in October.
EU and China agree measures on "severe" movements
A meeting between Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, and his Chinese counterpart, Zhou Xiaochuan, has resulted in the People's Bank of China saying it will co-operate with the EU to avoid "severe" fluctuations in exchange…
Egypt's El-Okdah to serve second term
Farouk el-Okdah, the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, will head the central bank for another four years, it emerged on Wednesday.
Abu Dhabi SWF invests $7.5 billion in Citigroup
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the world's biggest sovereign wealth fund, has bought an equity stake in Citigroup, the world's biggest bank, of up to 4.9% for $7.5 billion it emerged on Monday.
ECB lends extra €30 billion
The European Central Bank injected an additional €30 billion ($44 billion) into eurozone money markets in a bid to ease recurring tensions in interbank lending.
Britain asks EU to back Rock aid
United Kingdom authorities have requested European Commission approval of their decision to give Northern Rock more than £20 billion-worth ($41 billion) of Bank of England money under the Union's state aid rules.
Zimbabwe inflation stats delayed by lack of goods
Zimbabwe's state statistics department said on Tuesday that inflation figures cannot be calculated because not enough consumer goods are available.
Unanimity required in subprime response: Noyer
Central banks needed to act unanimously to provide liquidity in the wake of the subprime turmoil because of the globalisation of interbank markets, Christian Noyer, the governor of Banque de France said on Tuesday.
Fed aims to counter tensions with new operations
The New York Federal Reserve said on Monday that it will inject extra funds from now until the new year in a bid to counter "heightened pressures in money markets."
Favoured Rock bid would repay £11 billion
The preferred bid for Northern Rock, led by the Virgin group of companies, would repay £11 billion-worth ($22.7 billion) of the beleaguered mortgage lender's Bank of England debt.
Mexico holds rates at 7.5%
The Bank of Mexico's rate-setting board voted on Friday to hold its benchmark rate at 7.5%.
Hungary holds rates on inflation fears
The National Bank of Hungary's rate-setting board voted on Monday to hold rates at 7.5% after the central bank's inflation report revealed inflation would decline more slowly than anticipated.
Israel holds rates at 4%
The Bank of Israel's rate-setting board voted on Monday to keep rates at 4% for the third consecutive month.
Subprime losses could mount to $300 billion
US housing market losses are likely to be in the region of $200 billion to $300 billion, a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) finds.