News
Trichet says ECB ready to raise rates when needed
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said Thursday 3 November that the ECB stands ready to raise interest rates whenever this becomes necessary.
PBOC adviser calls for more yuan flexibility
China should allow greater flexibility in the yuan's exchange rate, an influential economist and adviser to China's central bank said in comments published on Wednesday 2 November.
China's current growth rate 'reasonable'
China's economy has already achieved its long-awaited landing and current growth rates around 9 percent are reasonable, the central bank's chief economist said on Wednesday 2 November.
RBNZ chief may raise rates until it 'hurts'
Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard said in a radio interview he is willing to raise interest rates ``in a way that really hurts,'' to stop people thinking they can keep borrowing money to spend.
Russia's gold, fx reserves exceed foreign debt
The Central Bank of Russia's gold and foreign currency reserves considerably exceed the state foreign debt and total more than $150 billion, President Vladimir Putin has said.
Fed raises rates, maintains 'measured' pace
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 1 November to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4 percent. In its statement the FOMC kept its 'measured' stance for removing policy accommodation and warned that energy…
BCCI liquidators drop 'hopeless' court case
The case brought by the liquidators of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International against the Bank of England and 22 of its present and former staff collapsed on Wednesday 2 November when all the allegations were unconditionally withdrawn at the High…
Norges Bank increases interest rates by 0.25%
Norges Bank's Executive Board decided on Wednesday 2 November to raise the sight deposit rate by 0.25 percentage point to 2.25 per cent with effect from 3 November. Output growth is high and may in isolation suggest a more rapid increase in the interest…
IMF wants more accountable Bank of Italy
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday 2 November that the Italian government should toughen up a draft reform of the Bank of Italy to make the central bank more transparent and accountable.
SNB maintains policy of 'correcting' rates
Switzerland's central bank will stick to its goal of "correcting" the country's main interest rate to keep inflation from accelerating, Swiss National Bank President Jean-Pierre Roth said Wednesday 2 November.
Japan's Yosano says stable long-term rate critical
Kaoru Yosano, Japan's newly appointed state minister for economic and fiscal policy, said that keeping long-term interest rates stable at low levels is vital to the success of fiscal and budget reforms.
PBOC to expand yuan settlement operations in HK
China's central bank will allow expanded yuan-denominated business in Hong Kong after technical preparations are completed, the People's Bank of China said on Tuesday 1 November.
'We will act' on inflation if needed says Trichet
The European Central Bank sees clear signs that inflation will rise in Europe, president Jean-Claude Trichet told Euro am Sonntag.
SADC economic integration timetable questioned
Southern Africa will be unable to realize its economic integration plans by 2012 if the current pace of implementation is not increased, a senior South African official warned on Monday 31 October.
Fed expected to raise rates again
The Federal Reserve was widely expected to raise US interest rates on Tuesday 1 November, as the American economy continues strong growth.
Russia, China set to sign banking agreement
The Russian central bank and the Chinese Banking Regulatory Commission are expected to sign an agreement during the visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov to China on 3-4 November.
Venezuela's Chavez plans $5 bn reserves spend
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in a TV broadcast that he plans to take an additional $5 billion in reserves from the central bank next year in order to boost spending on various projects.
PBOC issues new rules on electronic payments
The People's Bank of China has issued new rules regarding electronic payments designed to minimize transaction risk.
Bank of Japan says end of deflation in sight
The Bank of Japan said on Monday 31 October that the seven-year period of deflation will end in the year to March 2006.
China forex reserves expected to hit $820 bn
China's foreign exchange reserves are expected to total $820 billion by the end of 2005 on strong trade inflows, an economist at a government think tank said.
Bank of Israel lowers pay for new workers
The Bank of Israel will pay new workers 30 per cent less than current employees, under an agreement reached between the central bank, its workers union and the Finance Ministry.
Brazil central bank workers end month long strike
Brazil's central bank employees resumed work this week after a one month strike which delayed the release of important macroeconomic data.
Iceland's Oddsson waives pension rights
David Oddsson, former prime minister and new governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, has declined to take up a retirement pension for his 13 years as prime minister and one year as foreign minister.
Interview with PBOC's Xiang Junbo
In a recent interview People's Bank of China deputy governor, Xiang Junbo, said the central bank has been undergoing institutional changes. The establishment of the PBOC Shanghai Head Office is an important step to improve the central bank system and to…