News
Vietnam sets up anti-counterfeit money section
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has set up an anti-counterfeit money section to protect the Vietnamese dong and raise public awareness of how to recognise counterfeit money, said an SBV official.
Bernanke Senate vote expected by 31 Jan
The full US Senate will vote on whether to confirm Ben Bernanke as the next Federal Reserve chairman by the end of January, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said on Tuesday 10 January.
Ukraine's reserves more than double in 2005
The gross foreign reserves of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) grew 2.04 times in 2005 - from $9.5249 billion to $19.39476 billion.
Analysts sceptical over central bank gold buying
Central banks are unlikely to rush to diversify their reserves into gold in the near future due to the lengthy decision-making process and small size of the bullion market, Reuters said in a report.
Bank of Italy rejects Unipol bid
The Bank of Italy said on Tuesday 10 January it had rejected insurer Unipol's 5 billion euro ($6 billion) bid for BNL. The move marks the second domestic bank takeover offer to fail following the financial scandal that tarnished Italy's image.
BIS to host Irving Fisher Committee
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced on Tuesday10 January that it has agreed to provide the Secretariat for the Irving Fisher Committee on Central Bank Statistics with immediate effect.
Tanigaki warns BOJ in ending loose policy
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Monday 9 January urged the Bank of Japan to be cautious in determining when to end its ultra-loose monetary policy.
German govt confirms Bundesbank staff cut plan
The German government is considering plans to reduce the size of the Bundesbank's staff with cuts that go beyond a current round of planned reductions, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday 7 January.
Burundi central bank gets new governor
Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza has appointed economist Gabriel Ntisezerana as the new governor of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB) instead of Gabriel Toyi, official sources said in Bujumbura.
McCreevy welcomes new Bank of Italy governor
European Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy Tuesday 10 January welcomed Mario Draghi's appointment as the new governor of the Bank of Italy.
China mulls reserves shift to liquid assets
People's Bank of China officials revealed more on Tuesday 10 January as to how they are likely to manage their foreign-exchange reserves, saying they won't sell off a large amount of existing US dollar holdings but may move some reserves into other…
Wellink says growth pickup may see rates higher
European Central Bank council member Nout Wellink said Monday 9 January a pickup in economic growth raises the chances of further increases in interest rates.
Central bankers upbeat on world economy
The global economy is growing at a dynamic pace and may even accelerate in 2006, central bankers from major countries said on Monday 9 January.
IMF's Rato calls for 'market value' yuan
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo Rato on Sunday 8 January said China should take full advantage of its decision last year to introduce more flexibility to its currency regime.
Caruana to leave Basel Committee in July
Jaime Caruana said on Monday 9 January he will step down as chairman of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision when he leaves his post as governor of the Bank of Spain in July this year.
Jean-Pierre Roth to chair BIS Board
The Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) on Monday 9 January elected as its new Chairman Jean-Pierre Roth, Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank.
Argentina to buy euros to restock reserves
Argentina's central bank will begin buying euros in the foreign exchange market to help bolster its foreign reserves, which were sharply reduced to pay back the country's debt with the IMF, a central bank official said on Sunday 8 January.
Soros expects global economy slow down in 2007
International financier George Soros said in Singapore Monday 9 January that he expects a global recession in 2007 if the U.S. housing market continues to cool after the Fed halts it rate hike campaign.
Gold rises on central bank buying rumours
The gold price had been lent further momentum by investors anticipating central banks would deliver on comments they would buy gold, Bloomberg News reported.
Atlanta Fed names vice president
John Robertson was named vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta on Tuesday 3 January.
IMF's Rato to visit Brazil on January 10-11
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, will visit Brazil on January 10-11, 2006, at the invitation of the President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva to mark the nation's early repayment of its outstanding obligations to the Fund.
Euro 'War of the words' continues
Latvia has poured oil on the fire in the standoff over the Eurozone common currency spelling (EURO) and supported Malta for sticking to its principles in wanting to use the spelling which is correct according to its national language.
First woman takes over as SBP chief
The first woman ever to be appointed as the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) took up her position on Monday 2 January.
Interview with ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet
In recent comments European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said that monetary policy "cannot resolve all problems by itself". "We need profound structural reforms to increase our growth potential", Trichet warned.