News
Euro disaster a salutary lesson in what not to do
According to this recent article, the idea of a single currency area for countries like China, Japan, and Korea has certain obvious appeal. However, it is a big stretch to assume that a single currency union is either the best way for them to reap those…
Bernanke may prove hawk in dove's clothing
This article published on Wednesday 29 March reports that some commentators are saying the first few glimpses into the new Fed chairman's thinking suggest he may yet turn out to be more of a hawk than many predicted.
Time for Gulf economies to increase gold reserves
According to this article published on Thursday 30 March, the prospect of selling oil for inflated dollars should send Middle Eastern central banks to the hedge commodity of gold.
Understanding Fed statement is like child's play
According to this article published on Wednesday 29 March, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke didn't quite achieve his goal of full transparency in his first time at bat this week.
ECB has sold 57 tons of gold
The European Central Bank said on Friday 31 March that it has completed a programme of gold sales amounting to 57 tons of gold.
Joint external debt website launched
The Bank for International Settlements, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank announced on Thursday 30 March that they are jointly launching a new website.
Review of IMF-World Bank collaboration
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank Group, announced Wednesday they have initiated a range of measures to promote a deeper and early review of Fund-Bank collaboration.
Iran denies Swiss paper's claim of gold withdrawal
An informed source at the Central Bank of Iran was quoted by IRNA on Friday 31 March as denying a story published in a Swiss daily on the withdrawal of 250 tons of Iran's gold reserves from that country's Credit Bank.
Kansas Fed's Hoenig says US rates in neutral range
A Federal Reserve official said Friday 31 March that further economic data will let the U.S. central bank know how it should proceed on interest rates.
India will grow faster with convertible rupee
According to this article published Monday 27 March, India's intention to make the rupee fully convertible could lead to full-fledged capital flight which could thrust the country into a serious banking and currency crisis.
Overhaul enhances Sri Lanka's standing in world
According to this article published on Tuesday 28 March, prominent among Sri Lanka's economic and financial reforms in the last two decades was the creation of a modern sophisticated payments infrastructure.
The battle of the central bankers
According to this article published on Wednesday 29 March, central banks around the world are now engaged in a decorous competition to demonstrate their superior communication skills.
Rivals line up for RBA succession
Australian Treasurer Peter Costello has just six months to find a replacement for Reserve Bank of Australia governor Ian Macfarlane. According to this article published on Sunday 26 March, Glenn Stevens may be favourite for the post, but there is still…
Meirelles to stay at Brazil's central bank
At the inauguration ceremony of Brazil's new minister of finance, Guido Mantega, the president of the central bank, Henrique Meirelles, said that he will continue in his post.
McGauchie reappointed to RBA's board
Australian Treasurer Peter Costello on Thursday 30 March reappointed Telstra Corp. chairman Don McGauchie to the Reserve Bank of Australia's board for another five-year term.
BoE's Lomax questions MPC meetings
Bank of England deputy governor Rachel Lomax said in a speech in Oslo on Thursday 30 March that expectations for inflation have fallen and appear well anchored around the official target of 2.0 percent.
CBK's Mullei asked to leave office
Kenya's central bank governor has formally been asked to step down until a corruption case against him is decided, the government said on Thursday 30 March.
Bernanke says US can withstand dollar fall
The chronic U.S. trade gap need not fuel a "precipitous" decline in the dollar, but the economy may be able to shrug it off if it did, Federal Reserve Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said in a letter.
Singapore MAS may tighten further
Singapore's monetary policy may turn more aggressive in April to subdue growing inflationary pressures, according to this article published Friday 24 March. Some banks are adopting a hawkish view because recent increases in the consumer price index have…
As rates rise, Asia's risky markets get riskier
The appetite for riskier Asian assets is strong, according to this article published Thursday 23 March, but rising interest rates raise the chance of investors dumping some of these assets and if sentiment turns suddenly, local markets could be…
Fed raises rates again
The Federal Open Market Committee decided Tuesday 28 March to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4-3/4 percent.
Reforms to BoE's money markets operations
The Bank of England has announced that, subject to conducting a successful dress rehearsal, it is aiming to introduce the new reserve-averaging scheme and standing facilities on 18 May 2006.
New ECB premises project
As part of the preparations for the construction of the new ECB premises, the European Central Bank said on Tuesday 28 March that it has commissioned searches of the site.
Turkey's Basci keeps mouth zipped
As the uncertainty over the identity of the next central bank governor continues, Turkey's acting governor Erdem Basci declined to respond to reporters questions on the matter.