News
ECB raises rates, but says no series planned
The European Central Bank raised its main interest rate, for the first time in five years, by 0.25% to 2.25% on Thursday 1 December in a move that had been widely expected.
Mizuno says BOJ should shorten policy debate
Bank of Japan board member Atsushi Mizuno said in a speech the BOJ should not spend too much time debating over policy with the government or financial markets to avoid being "late" in shifting policy.
Document shows plan to shake up EU payments system
The European Union's payments system is set for a wide-ranging overhaul to cut down on the cost of cross-border transactions and save up to 100 billion euros ($117.7 billion), a European Commission document quoted by Reuters showed on Thursday 1 December.
China says revaluation to slow reserves rise
The rapid build-up in China's foreign exchange reserves should slow following the revaluation this year of the renminbi, the People's Bank of China said on Wednesday 30 November.
Snow says Europe could perform better
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said Thursday 1 December G7 finance ministers would discuss a familiar list of subjects at their meeting this weekend, including slow growth in Europe.
Former RBA chief says Gerard should quit
Former Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Bernie Fraser said RBA board member Robert Gerard should resign after a report he had to pay A$150 million (US$111 million) to settle a tax dispute.
BoE's Walton sees no rush for rate move
David Walton, the newest member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, told the Times that inflation could easily remain above the Bank's 2 percent target for some months while economic growth seemed to have recovered somewhat.
ECCB to host development conference
The St. Kitts-based East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has announced it will be hosting its ninth annual development conference on Thursday 1 December in the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium at the ECCB Headquarters.
FSF meets with the hedge fund community
The Financial Stability Forum (FSF) recently convened two informal workshops of senior members of the hedge fund community, their counterparties, and financial authorities.
Riksbank research on exchnage rates
Sweden's Riksbank has initiated cooperation with a number of external researchers as a complement to the bank's regular research to make a broader, more in-depth analysis of the development of the Swedish krona and its determinants.
BOJ deputy suggests 1% inflation benchmark
Bank of Japan deputy governor Kazumasa Iwata said the consumer price index needs to show a year-on-year rise of 1 pct over a period of 1-1/2 to two years to ensure that deflation is defeated, the Nikkei News Service reported.
ECB's Bini Smaghi says rates could rise
The European Central Bank could raise its official interest rate to 2.25 pct from 2.00, when the bank's governing council meets tomorrow, said ECB executive Lorenzo Bini Smaghi on Wednesday 30 November
PBOC officials to miss G7 meeting
The People's Bank of China said on Monday 28 November that its governor and vice governors won't be attending the Group of Seven meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors which takes place in London this weekend.
Azerbaijan to issue new banknotes
The National Bank of Azerbaijan is preparing to present new banknotes, according to NBA board chairman Elman Rustamov.
Russian people keep $30bn
The Central Bank of Russia has evaluated the volume of hard currency accumulated by residents at $20 billion to $30b, central bank chairman Sergei Ignatyev told a session at the State Duma.
OECD names Mexican as secretary-general
The OECD named Mexican former Foreign Minister Angel Gurria as its next secretary-general on Friday 25 November, after he received backing from a majority of the organization's 30 member countries.
UK to make statistics office independent
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said Monday 28 November that the Treasury intends to make the Office for National Statistics independent from the government.
Share price rise benefits BOJ
A surge in Japanese share prices has seen the Bank of Japan's holdings of shares in business firms increase to a record 1,132.3 billion yen as of Sept. 30.
Fed's Ferguson: Market stress may affect policy
Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Roger Ferguson said in a speech released on Monday 28 November that central banks may consider changing interest rates if financial stresses on markets or institutions put financial stability at risk.
OECD says ECB should leave rates 'unchanged'
The OECD joined in on the debate over an expected increase in eurozone interest rates, warning Tuesday 29 November that the cost of borrowing should be left "unchanged."
New York Fed to host regulation Seminar
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York will host a seminar to review Regulatory Reporting Best Practices as observed by Statistics Function staff on 12 January 2006.
Eurogroup head criticises ECB rate rise plan
An interest rate increase by the European Central Bank is unnecessary, Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg said on Monday 28 November.
Inflation warning from Bank of France
The Bank of France said on Monday 28 November inflation risks in developed countries have increased because of high oil and commodity prices and could rise further.
Slovakia joins ERM-II
Slovakia has joined the Exchange Rate Mechanism 2 (ERM-II), the Hospodarske noviny daily wrote.