News
Bank of Japan Policy Board Minutes
The Bank of Japan published the minutes from its 12 and 13 July meeting on Friday 12 August. Two of nine policy board members at the Bank proposed cutting the 30-35 trln yen liquidity target for banks, at the mid-July policy meeting.
Korea suggests it may hike rates
The Bank of Korea said on Thursday 11 August that it would consider increasing interest rates if the economy recovered fully.
Italian economy minister wants ECB rate cut
Italy's deputy economy minister Mario Baldassari said he favours the European Central Bank cutting its interest rates, as well as the euro being valued at parity with the dollar.
CITIC Securities to revamp China Securities
China's CITIC Securities Co confirmed media reports on Friday 12 August that it is teaming up with Jianyin Investment Ltd, an investment arm of the central bank, to restructure Beijing-based China Securities Co.
Bank of Mexico holds interest rates steady
Mexico's central bank held monetary policy steady on Friday 12 August saying after its twice-monthly policy meeting it was keeping its money market "short" steady at 79 million pesos a day.
Foreign central banks buying more US debt
Foreign central banks were big buyers of US debt in the latest week, swallowing up similar amounts of both Treasury and agency debt in what was the heaviest week of buying in 2-1/2 months, Federal Reserve data showed on Thursday 11 August.
New spokesman for the New York Fed
Peter Bakstansky has been the spokesman for the New York Fed for so long - 30 years, to be precise - that his impending retirement will be hard to get accustomed to, at least for any journalist.
Prodi outlines Bank of Italy reform ideas
Italy's opposition leader Romano Prodi outlined a number of reform proposals for the beleaguered Bank of Italy on Friday 12 August and the country's other financial institutions.
Cultural days of the ECB 2005: Hungary
Hungary will be the country featured in this year's Cultural Days of the European Central Bank, which will be held from 2 to 28 November 2005 in cooperation with Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary, the ECB said on Thursday 11 August.
IMF letter on the famine in Niger
In a letter published by The Independent newspaper on Friday 5 August, the IMF's Director of External Relations, Thomas Dawson, defended the Fund against accusations that the IMF contributed to the crisis in Niger.
Australian govt to quiz RBA chief on economy
Reserve Bank of Australia governor Ian Macfarlane will be grilled Friday 12 August on the chances of another rate rise, or possibly a rate cut, in coming months.
German finance minister calls for ECB rate cut
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Clement called on the European Central Bank to cut interest rates, saying it was "remarkably" more reserved than other central banks.
Taiwan central bank denies extraordinary meeting
The Central Bank of China, Taiwan's central bank, denied on Thursday 11 August that it is planning to call an extraordinary board meeting in the near term.
Philippines, EC sign anti-money laundering pact
The European Commission (EC) and the Philippines have signed a 73-million peso (1.33-million US dollars) financing agreement to assist with the country's anti-money laundering drive, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has said.
Norway keeps interest rates unchanged at 2%
Norway's central bank held its key deposit rate steady at 2.0 percent on Thursday 11 August as was widely expected.
Fed raises rates, maintains measured stance
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 9 August to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3-1/2 percent. The FOMC maintained its measured stance on monetary policy accommodation.
IMF letter on prospects for ECB rate cut
In a letter published by the Financial Times on Tuesday 9 August, Michael Deppler of the IMF said international developments suggest that the worst may be over on growth in the eurozone but point to further upward pressure on headline inflation because…
China reveals details of yuan basket
China announced major currency market reforms on Wednesday 8 August and also published details of the basket of currencies to which the bank refers in managing the float of the yuan.
Government to discuss Bank of Italy on 26 Aug
The Italian government will hold a ministerial meeting on Aug 26 to discuss the Bank of Italy and its recent clearances of bank takeover bids, a report by news agency Radiocor said.
RBI's Reddy says oil prices need careful response
Reserve Bank of India Governor Y.V. Reddy said on Wednesday 10 August that the central bank would carefully respond to volatile oil prices as it impacts inflation and the exchange rate.
Belgium's central bank offloads 30 tonnes of gold
Belgium's central bank said on Wednesday 10 August it had sold 30 tonnes of gold in July and August, leading to an increase in the yield on its assets.
US Treasury confident of China yuan moves
The Bush administration expects China will continue to move toward greater currency flexibility even though the steps taken so far have been small, a top Treasury Department official said.
BOJ chief says public-sector reform vital
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told a press conference on Tuesday 9 August that public-sector reform is vital to domestic economic growth.
ECB's Issing sees positive signals on economy
European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing said in an interview there have been a series of positive signals on the economy, but said high oil price could curb growth.