News
Japan, France fin mins concerned over weak dollar
The Japanese and French finance ministers expressed concern about the weak US dollar and agreed to bring the issue before Group of Seven finance ministers meeting in April, officials said in Tokyo.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, Feb 2005
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for February 2005 was +0.37, up from +0.13 in January. All four broad categories of indicators that make up the index made positive contributions last month, according to the CFNAI.
Canada's Dodge on bank's 70th anniversary
In an interview to mark the Bank of Canada's 70th anniversary, governor David Dodge said the bank is more open today than ever about how it goes about its business. "The day of the high priesthood of central bankers has come and gone."
Turkey's Serdengecti on promised reforms
In an interview published on Wednesday 23 March , the governor of Turkey's central bank, Sureyya Serdengecti, said reforms promised by the ruling AK government - but yet to be finalised - were essential to the bank's continued ability to reduce inflation…
BNB governor proposes Kostov as deputy
The governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), Ivan Iskrov, has proposed Dimitar Kostov as deputy governor of the central bank and head of the banking department.
Georgia to appoint new National Bank chief
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has asked parliament to approve the chairman of the parliamentary finance and budget committee, Roman Gotsiridze, as the next president of the National Bank, Imedi TV reported.
Adams nominated to U.S. Treasury post
U.S. President George Bush has picked Tim Adams as the Treasury's new under secretary for international affairs, the White House said on Wednesday 23 March.
Trichet voices concern on fiscal rule changes
European Central Bank head Jean-Claude Trichet voiced concern on Thursday 23 March about reforms to the European Union's stability and growth pact agreed by EU leaders this week.
BoE's King: 'Coach and horses' driven through pact
Bank of England governor Mervyn King criticised European Union leaders for loosening the fiscal rules that underpin the value of the euro on Thursday 24 March, saying restrictions on government spending in the region lack "discipline."
French audit office criticises central bank
The French financial press reported that France's audit office, Cour des Comptes, has submitted what it described as a very severe report on the way in which the Banque de France is managed.
BOJ fails to sell planned funds
The Bank of Japan failed to drain a planned amount of funds in its money market operation on Thursday 24 March for the first time in some 49 months, the central bank said.
PBOC says Zhou's comments mis-reported
The People's Bank of China has denied reports that governor Zhou Xiaochuan told a closed door conference in Beijing this week that one-year deposit rates might be lifted in the second quarter of the year.
Bank of England MPC Minutes, 9 &10 March
The minutes from the 9 &10 March meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee published on Wednesday 23 March showed Paul Tucker voted for the second month in a row to raise interest rates, and was joined by deputy governor Andrew Large,…
Fed raises rates, retains 'measured' stance
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 22 March to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 2-3/4 percent. In its statement the FOMC retained its "measured" stance on interest rate increases, adding that "pressures…
Juncker rejects central bank concerns on pact
EU leaders have formally endorsed reforms to the stability and growth pact. Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, current President of the European Council and President of the Eurogroupe, said the agreement was cleared after a "brief debate".
Reform delay could harm Turkey's stability
Turkish central bank governor Sureyya Serdengecti said in an interview with the Financial Times that a further delay in completing reforms tied to a new $10bn loan deal with the IMF could put the country's economic stability at risk.
Taiwan to introduce more secure banknotes
The Central Bank of China (CBC) is scheduled to launch new NT$500 and NT$1,000 bills on 20 July featuring strengthened anti-forgery functions, CBC Governor Perng Fai-nan said Wednesday.
Bond yield gains should reflect Japan's economy
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Wednesday 23 March the central bank does not want increases in bond yields that aren't underpinned by the performance of the economy.
Bank of Japan Minutes, 16 and 17 February
The Bank of Japan's minutes from its 16 and 17 February monetary policy meeting published on Tuesday 22 March revealed that the policy board again discussed changing a central plank of its policy - the target for commercial banks' reserve deposits.
China yuan move should be 10% - ex-HKMA's Latter
China would need to revalue its currency by at least 10 % in order for such a move to be credible to the markets, according to Tony Latter, former deputy chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
Russia increases euro weighting
The Russian central bank said on Monday 21 March that it had doubled the weighting of euros used to calculate the nominal exchange rate of the ruble from 10 per cent to 20 per cent at the expense of the dollar.
Singapore plans Islamic banking boost
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the country plans legal changes to make it easier for banks to offer Islamic banking services.
Fed expected to raise rates Tuesday 22 March
It was widely expected that the Federal Reserve would boost its target for the federal funds rate by another quarter-point at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on Tuesday 22 March.
Euro reforms make economic sense - Eichel
German Finance Minister Hans Eichel said in an interview on Tuesday 22 March the deal easing the rules that underpin the euro means the pact can now be used in an economically smart, growth-oriented way.