News
BOJ buys Y1.98 trln shares to May 10
The Bank of Japan said on Wednesday it had bought a cumulative 1.9799 trillion yen ($17.53 billion) of shares held by Japanese banks by May 10 under a programme aimed at reducing banks' exposure to stock market volatility.
BOJ must watch for overshoot in yields, Nakahara
Bank of Japan policy board member Shin Nakahara said on Wednesday that the BOJ must watch for any overshooting in long-term yields, in an attempt to reduce concerns as the economy recovers and speculation of a policy switch arises.
New IMF chief Rato says oil rise abrupt
New IMF managing director Rodrigo Rato said at his first news conference surging oil prices were disrupting financial markets. He also said the world economy was in an upswing with the prospect of only moderate changes in interest rates ahead.
Africa's first polymer banknotes to stay
Africa's first and only polymer banknotes, issued by the Bank of Zambia, will remain in circulation despite their disappointing performance, the bank said Tuesday 11 May.
Unpopular measures needed for Cyprus euro adoption
Cyprus Central Bank Governor Christodoulos Christodoulou said Tuesday the government must take "unpopular" measures to reign in public spending to achieve its target of adopting the euro in 2007.
Fed's McTeer sees no recession from oil hikes
Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Robert McTeer said in a comment piece in the Wall Street Journal on Monday that despite the increase in energy prices, the United States will not go into a recession as it has during previous jumps in energy costs.
US Treasury's Snow says no worry on inflation
US Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Monday he was not concerned about the potential for rising prices and interest rates, saying the economy had lots of room to grow without inflation.
Issing:Central bank shouldn't try to prick bubbles
Central banks should not try to prick asset price bubbles in property or stock markets, but they do need to take account of asset price developments when setting interest rates, ECB chief economist Otmar Issing said.
Hungary's Draskovics to propose 2010 euro entry
Finance minister Tibor Draskovics has said he will recommend to the government that Hungary set 2010 as the target date for introducing the euro.
Taylor says flexible yuan would ease overheating
The US has continued its pressure on China to move to a more flexible exchange rate system, with Treasury Under Secretary John Taylor saying Monday such a switch would help ease the overheating now being seen in the economy.
Persson: China increasingly important for Sweden
Sveriges Riksbank Deputy Governor Kristina Persson gave a speech Tuesday at the Umea Association for Foreign Affairs. The speech was entitled "What can China's economic development entail for Sweden?" Persson said "the increase in growth in China means…
RBA Statement on Monetary Policy, May 2004
The Reserve Bank of Australia has published its May 2004 Statement on Monetary Policy. The RBA said easing currency woes, a cooling housing market and an improving global economy had improved the prospects for balanced growth. While the risks to the…
BOJ's Fukui foresees no change in interest rates
Toshihiko Fukui said Sunday 9 May he expects no change in the Bank of Japan's zero-interest-rate policy, as the economy struggles to emerge from its deflationary spiral.
Trichet: Growth not threatened by oil price rise
The world economy will continue to grow despite a rise in oil prices, European Central Bank governor Jean-Claude Trichet said on Monday at the Group of 10 meeting of central bank governors in Basel.
US press China on yuan reform
U.S. Treasury Under-Secretary John Taylor on Monday pressed China to adopt a more flexible currency regime to cool its overheating economy.
Report: Taiwan central bank to gain independence
It was reported Monday that the Central Bank of China (CBC) will become an independent body according to a draft package of amendments to the existing law governing the bank's organization and operations.
Trinidad: cb governor warns on money laundering
The governor of the Trinidad and Tobago Central Bank, Ewart Williams, has warned that money laundering through the banking system is on the increase and that the financial system is being increasingly used to fund criminal activity.
Redesign of the Bundesbank's website
The Deutsche Bundesbank has launched its redesigned website. Two key objectives have been achieved, the bank said. Completely barrier-free access to the website and consistent, uniform structuring of complex material in an attractive design, retaining…
Fed minutes show concern at ultra-low rates
Some FOMC members expressed concern at their March meeting that a long period of ultra-low short-term interest rates might lead to increased speculation in financial markets, according to Federal Reserve minutes released ON Thursday 6 May.
Forrest Capie to write next volume of BoE history
Forrest Capie, Professor of Economic History at the Cass Business School, has accepted an appointment to write the next volume of the Bank of England's official history.
New deputy governor appointed in Sri Lanka
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with the agreement of the Minister of Finance, has appointed Dr Ranee Jayamaha as its Deputy Governor. The appointment is effective from 19th April, 2004.
MPs call for sack for Palestine central bank chief
MPs are urging Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to sack the governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority, AFP reported this week, saying the appointment was never approved by parliament.
Kerry sees Rubin in Greenspan's shoes
US Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has said that if elected he will seriously consider former treasury secretary Robert Rubin to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan when he retires.
Nepal Rastra Bank chief has land seized
The Rebel Communist Party of Nepal has escalated the capture of land belonging to local landlords, including land owned by the central bank chief. The party has captured 300 hectares of land and made it public.