News
US Fed keeps benchmark rate unchanged
The U.S. Federal Reserve held key interest rates steady at 5.25 percent for a fourth straight meeting on Tuesday 12 December, while renewing a warning that risks from inflation remain.
Bank of France sees rebound in Q4
The French economy will bounce back in the last three months of 2006 after stalling in the third quarter, according to a Bank of France survey released on Wednesday 13 December.
'Still low' says Mersch on ECB rates
Luxembourg central bank governor Yves Mersch said Wednesday 13 December the European Central Bank's interest rates are "still low".
Norges Bank raises rates to 3.50%
The Norwegian central bank said Wednesday 13 December it has decided to raise the sight deposit rate to 3.50 pct from 3.25 pct, effective from Thursday.
Villepin wants clarification of ECB role
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called on Monday 12 December to "clarify the roles" of European Central Bank (ECB), amid talk regarding the recent high levels of the euro.
Israel's Fischer says rate cuts will be gradual
The governor of the Bank of Israel Stanley Fischer on Monday 11 December said he would reduce interest rates gradually because any "drastic" reduction would cause inflation to break the bank's target.
Poland's central bank chief named before Xmas
Polish minister Aleksander Szczyglo from the President's Office said Tuesday 12 December in a Polish radio report that the name of the new head of the central bank should be known by Christmas.
Murerwa denies fallout with Zimbabwe's Gono
Zimbabwe's finance minister dismissed rumours he is at odds with central bank governor Gideon Gono as the country's economic crisis deepens, reports said on Tuesday 12 December.
Two candidates for Slovenia's central bank chief
Two candidates have applied for the post of the governor of Banka Slovenije, Slovenia's central bank, President Janez Drnovsek's office told STA News.
Fed's FOMC likely to hold US interest rates
The US economy is in fairly good shape despite the flagging housing and auto industries, suggesting the Federal Reserve will leave US interest rates unchanged at its meeting Tuesday 12 December.
SBP's Akhtar warns speculators of punitive steps
The governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, announced on Sunday 10 December that while the SBP would not intervene to stabilise the rupee exchange rate, it would take punitive action against market speculators.
BoE to launch credit conditions survey
The Bank of England announced Monday 11 December it will launch a quarterly survey of credit conditions in the UK covering mortgage lending, unsecured lending to households and corporate lending.
Brian Lang retires from RBNZ
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced Monday 11 December that Brian Lang will be retiring from the Bank on 15 December. Lang joined the Bank in 1962 and has filled a wide range of senior positions.
Belgium's Quaden says don't panic on rate levels
Belgian National Bank governor Guy Quaden said Monday 11 December eurozone countries have no cause for alarm over interest rates and currency levels.
Oman not ready for single currency
Oman has confirmed it will not be joining the GCC currency union by 2010. The move presents a big setback for the proposed Gulf single currency.
China to look positively on Paulson talks
China promised on Monday 11 December to respond positively to the US in talks this week but said its exchange rate is a matter of national sovereignty.
SNB's Roth warns on appetite for risk
Swiss National Bank president Jean-Pierre Roth said Friday 8 December he does not feel comfortable with recent developments seen in global financial markets.
PBOC not considering wider yuan/dollar band
The People's Bank of China is not currently considering a widening of the trading band for the yuan against the dollar, the head of the bank's research department said Friday 8 December.
Brazil central bank considered rate cut
Brazil's central bank said Thursday 7 December in minutes from its last Copom meeting that it doesn't expect an eventual pick up in economic activity to stoke inflation.
Zimbabwe's Gono says he is unpaid
In reply to a question to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono on the New Zimbabwe.com web chat on Wednesday 6 December, Gono revealed he has not been paid since taking up the post at the central bank.
NBP's Balcerowicz against euro referendum
The head of Poland's central bank Leszek Balcerowicz told a seminar on Thursday 7 December that a referendum on Poland joining the eurozone is unnecessary.
Robert Mclean joins Australia's PSB
Australia's treasurer Peter Costello has appointed academic and businessman Robert McLean as a part-time member to the central bank's Payments System Board (PSB) for a five-year term.
PBOC sees risks if dollar slides
The People's Bank of China said in a report published Thursday 7 December that it is concerned over a possible slide in the US dollar if there is a widespread move to sell off dollar assets.
Gulf currency union may face delay
Plans by GCC member states to launch a single currency by 2010 face delays because some countries won't be able to make legal changes in time, the governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait said in an interview Tuesday 5 December.