News
RBNZ's regulatory role expanded
Wellington has broadened the supervisory scope of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, making the central bank responsible for the regulation of non-bank deposit takers.
Three regional Feds wanted discount rate rise
Directors of three regional Federal Reserves called for a quarter-point increase to the discount rate in July.
Canada holds, says policy appropriately loose
The Bank of Canada on Wednesday kept its key rate at 3% for the second straight vote, deeming rates "appropriately accommodative" given the risks to growth.
I'll stay if asked: SARB's Mboweni
Tito Mboweni, the governor of the South African Reserve Bank, confirmed that he would be willing to serve another term at the central bank, after earlier reports suggested he would leave when his current contract expires next July.
Australia cuts on signs of slower growth ahead
The Reserve Bank of Australia lowered its key rate from a 12-year high on evidence that earlier hikes have succeeded in subduing demand.
Risks from low rates warrant attention: Shirakawa
Central banks must be watchful after a period of low rates, cautioned Masaaki Shirakawa, the governor of the Bank of Japan.
China eases lending rules to sustain growth
The People's Bank of China said Monday it will make lending more flexible to encourage "stable and relatively fast growth".
De La Rue's cash-systems arm renamed Talaris
Banknote printer De La Rue's cash-systems operations will be renamed Talaris following completion of the sale of the division to Carlyle, a private equity group.
Delhi defies expectations, names new governor
Delhi has named Duvvuri Subbarao, a finance secretary, the new governor of the country's central bank, confounding expectations of a second term for the incumbent Y.V. Reddy.
SARB to clarify Mboweni's mixed messages on future
The South African Reserve Bank will attempt to set the record straight on Tito Mboweni's future on Tuesday after the governor appeared to contradict himself on his plans for a third term in an interview given over the weekend.
EU central banks to devise reform agenda for Serbi
Eighteen European Union (EU) central banks are to collaborate on a report to determine the future strategy of the National Bank of Serbia.
Georgia acts on liquidity shift
The National Bank of Georgia has altered the way in which it pumps funds into the banking system on the back of changes in liquidity conditions.
Fed's Kroszner dismisses decoupling
The recent turmoil has served to reaffirm the adage that when the US sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold, a senior Federal Reserve official has argued.
BoE's Blanchflower steps up call for cuts
David Blanchflower, a member of the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC), issued an apocalyptic forecast about Britain's economic prospects, and urged immediate interest rate cuts of at least 25 basis points to prevent the country falling…
Czech's Tuma taciturn on koruna's slump
Zdenek Tuma, the governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), has said he sees "no need to comment" on recent fluctuations in the value of the koruna against the euro.
Indian growth slows
The Indian economy grew by an annual rate of 7.9% in the second quarter, the slowest rate of growth in more than three years, and down from the 9.2% expansion registered in the second quarter of 2007.
Japan inflation hits highest level for a decade
Japanese annual inflation jumped 2.4% in July, up from 1.9% in June.
Quarterly US growth revised to 3.3%
Strong export performance, aided by the weak dollar, and less inventory liquidation led to stronger-than-expected US growth in the three months to June.
ECB's Weber signals little support for cuts
Inflation fears could undermine prospects of lower eurozone interest rates, Axel Weber, the president of the Bundesbank and a member of the ECB's Governing Council, indicated.
Bear bust led to dollar-support plans - report
The financial authorities in Frankfurt, Washington and Tokyo considered joint action to stabilise the falling dollar, a leading Japanese business newspaper has reported.
Chile's De Gregorio hints at further hikes
Jose de Gregorio, the president of the Central Bank of Chile, warned that its key rate, now at a ten-year high, is likely to become steeper still.
Low rates will soften slump: Japan's Shirakawa
Low rates and less exposure to subprime debt mean Japan is likely to escape a deep downturn, Masaaki Shirakawa, the governor of the country's central bank, has said.
Thailand braves politician's wrath, hikes rates
The Bank of Thailand has raised its key rate a quarter point for the second-straight month to 3.75% despite the Thai finance minister's objections to the July decision.
Rate rise next move: Fed
The next change to the federal funds rate is likely to be an increase, the latest Federal Open Market Committee minutes show.