News
Norway slashes rates on "major shocks"
Norges Bank has followed the Riksbank's lead in chopping 175 basis points off its key rate. Exposure to "new major shocks" sparked the move, which leaves the central bank's key rate at 3%. Elsewhere, three other central banks cut their key rate by 50…
Fed cut a psychological boost but little more
At face value, Tuesday's Federal Open Market Committee statement was an historic move that underlined the US central bank's commitment to do all it can to counter the crisis. But, though the statement met with widespread approval from the markets, it…
Norwegian SWF looks to block Buffett takeover
Norway's sovereign wealth fund has filed a lawsuit to block a proposed takeover of a company it part-owns by Berkshire Hathaway, the holding company headed by Warren Buffett, an investor.
Old Lady mulled another mammoth move
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which slashed rates by a percentage point to take them to an all-time low earlier this month, considered backing an even larger move, the minutes of the meeting reveal.
UK inflation falls as King writes letter
British inflation fell in November but remains far above the Bank of England's target, obliging Mervyn King, the governor of the central bank, to write another letter explaining why inflation remains so high and what the Bank is doing to bring it down.
Norway to tap oil wealth
The Norwegian is expected to spend more of its oil revenues to avoid a severe recession, and might draw on the assets of its $332 billion (£222 billion) sovereign wealth fund to finance a new fiscal spending package.
Cameron talks tough on bankers
David Cameron, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party in Britain, has talked tough on going after "irresponsible" City bankers.
Saudi announces half-a-point cut
The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, Saudi's central bank, reduced its repo rate from 3% to 2.5% on Tuesday.
Swedes and Danes offer €500m swap to Latvia
The Danish and Swedish central banks offered swap lines worth half a billion euros to Latvia's central bank on Tuesday.
Hildebrand calls for restrictions on leverage
Philipp Hildebrand, the vice-chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), said excess leverage was the main cause of financial fragility and the current global banking crisis, and called for restrictions on leverage ratios.
Ireland announces €10bn bank bailout
The government of Ireland pledged up to €10bn for recapitalising ailing banks in a bid to encourage lending and limit the damage on the real economy.
Fingers pointed at SEC in Madoff affair
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a leading American regulator, is under fire for failing to spot alleged investment fraud by Bernard Madoff.
IMF to cut growth forecast
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will cut its forecast for growth in the global economy in 2009, its managing director said.
BoE survey confirms household squeeze
The results of a survey of household finances, published on Monday by the Bank of England, finds that 71% of British homeowners and tenants have experienced declines in their disposable income in September compared with the same month last year.
Venezuelan governor passes away
The governor of the Central Bank of Venezuela, Gaston Parra Luzardo, died in hospital over the weekend. He was 75.
Economists call for European stabilisation fund
The absence of a single European debt market is holding the euro back as a reserve currency in a time of extreme risk aversion, argue Daniel Gros and Stefano Micossi.
Rouble's slide continues
The Russian central bank on Thursday allowed the rouble to depreciate further, as the drain on its foreign reserves continued unabated.
RBNZ to accept corporate debt
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has announced a number of changes to its market operations, mostly significantly accepting domestic corporate securities as collateral for central bank loans. The paper must have a long-term credit rating of BBB- or higher.
China, Korea sign new swap line
Monetary authorities in China and South Korea have signed a new foreign-currency swap deal, the Chinese central bank announced on Friday.
Vietnam shuffles senior managers
The State Bank of Vietnam announced eight new senior managers in a major reshuffle at the central bank.
South Africa begins loosening cycle
The South African Reserve Bank has cut its key rate from a five-year high and indicated it has room to ease further in the coming months.
Fed floats bond issuance
The Federal Reserve is considering issuing its own bonds as a means to absorb the liquidity with which it has flooded markets as well as for fundraising purposes.
Swiss cut rates on gloomy growth forecast
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has cut its benchmark target range by a further half a point and said that it expects the economy to contract by up to 1% next year.
Fiji launches "smaller, thinner, lighter" coins
The Reserve Bank of Fiji completed its currency reform with the unveiling of new 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and $1 coins at a ceremony on Thursday.