News
Trichet says ECB's rate message is clear
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said on Monday 4 September that his message on interest rates following last Thursday's policy meeting is clear.
OECD raises Eurozone, UK growth forecasts
The OECD raised its 2006 growth forecasts for the Eurozone and UK on Tuesday 5 September, but kept its forecast for US growth unchanged and lowered its projection for Japan.
BOJ panel recommends staff transaction ban
An advisory panel to the Bank of Japan has said BOJ officials should be barred from most types of financial transactions.
Tanigaki says fiscal reforms must speed up
Japan cannot be slow in implementing fiscal reforms given its ageing population and rising global interest rates, Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said on Tuesday 5 September.
Norges Bank appoints communications director
Norges Bank announced on Friday 1 September that Siv Meisingseth has joined the central bank as Director of Corporate Communications.
Riksbank announces death of Jan Bergqvist
Jan Bergqvist, Chairman of the General Council of the Swedish central bank, has suddenly passed away at the age of 66, following a period of illness, the Riksbank said on Monday 4 September.
PBOC official says reforms are a long process
The reform and opening up of the country's financial industry will be a long, tough process but moving too quickly will only bring risks to the economy, a senior official of the People's Bank of China said in a speech.
Trichet says IMF representation progressing
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet has said the process of giving the ECB a higher profile in the IMF is going in the right direction, although he would prefer progress to be quicker.
Inflation outbreaks unlikely says Fed's Poole
Outbreaks in inflation are unlikely, especially with recent readings suggesting that price pressures have reached a plateau, St. Louis Federal Reserve President William Poole on Thursday 31 August.
Balcerowicz says NBP's independence is at risk
National Bank of Poland governor Leszek Balcerowicz said in a television interview on Friday 1 September that the government poses an ``unprecedented'' threat to central bank independence.
ECB keeps rates steady
The European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3% as expected.
Brazil surprises with half-point cut
Brazil's central bank slashed its interest rates by a larger-than-expected 0.5% on Wednesday.
Fed seeks to reassure over housing slowdown
Overall rises in disposable income should offset a possible increase in the saving rate due to a softening housing market, Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, said in a letter to a congresswoman released on Wednesday 30 August.
Indian rates may not rise-former governor
India's central bank may hold back on further interest rate hikes this year, according to a former Reserve Bank of India governor, Bimal Jalan.
Sweden raises rates
Sweden's central bank raised it benchmark interest rate by 0.25% in a move anticipated by the market.
Fed minutes indicate a "close call"
Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee showed a 9-1 vote on 8 August in favour of keeping interest rates on hold.
IMF boost for developing countries
China, South Korea, Turkey and Mexico seem set to win increases in their IMF quotas at the expense of some European countries.
Nigeria plans an oil investment fund
The Central Bank of Nigeria said it is working on a national investment fund that will manage a proportion of its external reserves.
Tunisia holds rates
Tunisian interest rates were unmoved after the monthly meeting of the central bank's executive board on Tuesday.
Iran unafraid of sanctions
Iran will be prepared for the economic consequences of UN sanctions, the governor of the country's central bank, Ebrahim Sheibani, said on Friday.
Hungary raises interest rates
The Hungarian central bank surprised markets with a half-point rate hike on Monday.
Italian banks' merger breakthrough
Two of Italy's biggest banks are to merge to form Europe's 10th largest bank with a market value of €55bn ($80bn).
Interest rates round-up
A brief round-up of recent interest rate decisions in central banks in emerging markets.
Jackson Hole attendees stick to the script
Central bankers and academics at the Fed's annual Jackson Hole conference in the United States discussed the impacts of globalisation at length, but gave away little on immediate policy directions.