News
Eurosystem central bank staff cuts gather pace
The number of central bankers in the eurosystem stands at 49,559, a fall of 5.3% or 7,237 staff since one year ago, and 11.9% lower than when the euro was launched in 1999, reveals the 2006 edition of Central Banking Publications' Central Bank Directory.
Dallas Fed launches new publication
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has launched 'Economic Letter,' a monthly publication, that will provide commentary on important trends and policy issues shaping the increasingly global economy.
China: No plan to sell dollar assets, buy oil
China has no plan to sell off its US dollar assets, the head of the People's Bank of China, Zhou Xiaochuan, was quoted as saying in the official Shanghai Securities News.
NY Fed to hold credit derivatives meeting
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has scheduled a meeting on 16 February, to follow up on issues and major developments in the credit derivatives markets since its 15 September 2005, meeting.
BOK vows intervention to stabilise won
The government and the Bank of Korea will make significant efforts to stabilise the Korean economy, according to Korea's top economic official.
Rato suggests greater autonomy for Brazil cb
Even after Brazil paid off its debt with the International Monetary Fund, their partnership will remain, according to IMF Managing Director, Rodrigo de Rato.
Ferguson's banking expertise may aid Bernanke
Although Ben Bernanke will take the reins of the U.S. economy when he takes over as chairman of the Federal Reserve next month; Roger Ferguson may be the one holding the reins of the Fed itself, this article published on Wednesday 10 January suggests.
Trichet says ECB's message well understood
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet told a press conference Thursday 12 January that market expectations for further interest rate hikes show that the ECB's position has been well understood.
Venezuela sees reserves up by 25 percent
Venezuela closed the 2005 fiscal year with foreign reserves above US$ 30.3 billion, the third highest in Latin America, according to a report authored by Aristimuo Herrera & Asociados.
Japan economy minister says leave BOJ alone
Japan's economic and financial services minister, in an interview with the FT, called on senior government officials to stop hassling the Bank of Japan over its monetary policy.
Unipol considers appeal
The European Commission said it has not yet received a reply from the Italian authorities regarding its legal action against Italy over the involvement of its central bank in the takeover battle for Banca Antonveneta SpA. And Unipol was reported to be…
Serbia's National Bank vice-governor arrested
Serbian police have arrested the vice-governor of Serbia's National Bank, Dejan Simic, on suspicion of taking bribes, Mina news agency reported.
Who is Ben Bernanke?
Of all the things investors can worry about in the new year, the Greenspan void has to be on the list, according to this article published on Monday 9 January. Bernanke faces not only the risk of unsettling the Greenspan bon ami in global markets, it…
IMF's Rato welcomes Brazil's economic progress
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday 10 January that since his last visit in September 2004, the Brazilian economy has continued to make remarkable progress.
Vietnam sets up anti-counterfeit money section
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has set up an anti-counterfeit money section to protect the Vietnamese dong and raise public awareness of how to recognise counterfeit money, said an SBV official.
Bernanke Senate vote expected by 31 Jan
The full US Senate will vote on whether to confirm Ben Bernanke as the next Federal Reserve chairman by the end of January, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said on Tuesday 10 January.
Ukraine's reserves more than double in 2005
The gross foreign reserves of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) grew 2.04 times in 2005 - from $9.5249 billion to $19.39476 billion.
Analysts sceptical over central bank gold buying
Central banks are unlikely to rush to diversify their reserves into gold in the near future due to the lengthy decision-making process and small size of the bullion market, Reuters said in a report.
Bank of Italy rejects Unipol bid
The Bank of Italy said on Tuesday 10 January it had rejected insurer Unipol's 5 billion euro ($6 billion) bid for BNL. The move marks the second domestic bank takeover offer to fail following the financial scandal that tarnished Italy's image.
BIS to host Irving Fisher Committee
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) announced on Tuesday10 January that it has agreed to provide the Secretariat for the Irving Fisher Committee on Central Bank Statistics with immediate effect.
Tanigaki warns BOJ in ending loose policy
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Monday 9 January urged the Bank of Japan to be cautious in determining when to end its ultra-loose monetary policy.
German govt confirms Bundesbank staff cut plan
The German government is considering plans to reduce the size of the Bundesbank's staff with cuts that go beyond a current round of planned reductions, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday 7 January.
Burundi central bank gets new governor
Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza has appointed economist Gabriel Ntisezerana as the new governor of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB) instead of Gabriel Toyi, official sources said in Bujumbura.
McCreevy welcomes new Bank of Italy governor
European Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy Tuesday 10 January welcomed Mario Draghi's appointment as the new governor of the Bank of Italy.