News
Central bankers are not magicians says BoE's King
Bank of England governor Mervyn King said in an interview with a Swedish newspaper published on Wednesday 14 December that central bankers cannot do magic tricks and politicians shouldn't make comments about the monetary policy of independent central…
Germany against gold sale to fill budget holes
Conservatives in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition remain opposed to using central bank gold reserves to fill budget holes, a senior lawmaker was quoted as saying on Wednesday 14 December.
Fazio confident despite banker arrest
Bank of Italy Governor Antonio Fazio said he did not break the law, after Gianpiero Fiorani was arrested for suspected embezzlement, but a leading newspaper on Wednesday 14 December called on Fazio to quit.
St Lucia to introduce single financial regulator
A Single Regulatory Unit (SRU) involving all parties in the financial sector is currently being introduced in St Lucia. The SRU should come into effect during the last quarter of 2006.
Russia changes gold reserves publication rules
In January 2006 details of Russia's gold reserves will be published on the basis of gold evaluations according to quotes by the Central Bank of Russia, the bank's external and public relations department said.
ECB introduces cartoon kit
Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank, launched a new information kit entitled "Price stability: why is it important for you?" on Monday 12 December.
US Treasury official calls for China FX action
A US Treasury official said on Monday 12 December that China should act on its pledge to make its currency regime more flexible.
Fed may remove 'accommodation' phrase
The Federal Reserve may say monetary policy is no longer stimulating the economy after it is expected to raise interest rates Tuesday 13 December for the 13th time, according to over half of Wall Street's largest bond trading firms surveyed by Bloomberg.
EU confirms legal action against Italy
The European Commission confirmed in a statement on Tuesday 13 December that it has decided to start legal action against Italy over the involvement of the Bank of Italy in the takeover battle for Banca Antonveneta.
Xiaochuan expects less pressure on yuan move
China's central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan said he expects less pressure for a yuan revaluation next year, as China will move to cut its trade surplus.
ECB's Liebscher sees no more hikes 'at the moment'
ECB Governing Council member Klaus Liebscher said in a media interview that the eurozone central bank is not planning any further rate rises for now but will keep a close watch on new economic data.
Quaden notes rates favour euro zone growth
European Central Bank council member Guy Quaden told Belgian TV that the ECB's benchmark rate can still foster economic growth and that policy makers haven't decided whether to add to this month's increase in rates.
ECB's Liikanen says rates support growth
European Central Bank Governing Council member Erkki Liikanen said on Monday 12 December that eurozone interest rates are low and support growth.
China 's FX reserves may reach $1 trln
China's foreign exchange reserves will exceed 1 trillion US dollars eventually, economist and People's Bank of China adviser Yu Yongding said.
Bank of England defends communication
A study published by the Bank of England on its communications on Monday 12 December that financial markets show the strongest reaction to minutes of its MPC policy meetings and the quarterly Inflation Report.
RBA's gain
According to this article published on Wednesday 7 December, Robert Gerard's resignation from the Reserve Bank of Australia's board leaves three important questions to be dealt with. Firstly, has the controversy damaged the RBA and its policy credibility?
ACCI sees no reason to change RBA appointments
The Reserve Bank of Australia is the most successful central bank in the world and the appointment process to its board should not be changed, Australia's business organisation ACCI said this week.
Interview with IMF's Agustin Carstens
Agustin Carstens, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, recently talked about the challenges facing the Eastern Caribbean region.
State Bank of Pakistan appoints governor
The President of Pakistan appointed Dr Shamshad Akhtar as governor of the State Bank of Pakistan on Saturday 3 December for a period of three years.
BCEAO governor named as Cote D'Ivoire PM
The governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), Charles Konan Banny, has been named the new Prime Minister of the Cote D'Ivoire, formerly known as Ivory Coast.
Stark tipped as Issing's replacement at ECB
Germany wants to hold its seat on the European Central Bank's executive board and could nominate Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark to replace Otmar Issing next year, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Mirow said in an interview this week.
Greenspan saves the world again
Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan attended his final G7 meeting in his official capacity last weekend. He receives various tributes, honours and gifts, including a cartoon depicting him as a goal keeper.
IMF chief economist sees further US rate hikes
The International Monetary Fund's chief economist, Raghuram Rajan, predicted on Friday 9 December that the Federal Reserve would probably continue to raise interest rates.
ECB's Issing says rate policy no block to recovery
The European Central Bank's interest rate policy is no obstacle to an economic upturn in the euro zone, ECB chief economist Otmar Issing told German weekly Rheinischer Merkur.