News
Changes to New Zealand's 'silver' coins
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced on Thursday 31 March its decisions to modernise New Zealand's silver-coloured coins.
ECB reveals gold sales; no more planned before Sep
The European Central Bank has completed a programme of gold sales amounting to 47 tons of gold, it said on Thursday 31 March.
BOK records 150 billion won loss
The Bank of Korea revealed on Thursday 31 March that it made a loss in 2004 for the first time in 10 years due to large interest payments on bonds sold to adjust the nation's money supply.
Gold sale plan would not hit market says IMF
Part of the International Monetary Fund's gold reserves could be sold to pay for its share of debt relief to poor countries without destabilising the market, according to Rodrigo Rato.
Fukui sees return to growth for Japan soon
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told parliament that the nation's economy should return to sustained growth soon.
Hackers steal Russian central bank transactions
Russian hackers have stolen the database of central bank transactions from April 2003 to September 2004, the Vedomosti newspaper reported on Wednesday 30 March .
IMF says Canada's economy strongest among G7
The International Monetary Fund praised Canada for its economic performance during the past decade on Tuesday 29 March, saying its economic outlook seems solid.
EU backs Wolfowitz nomination to World Bank
European leaders cautiously endorsed Paul Wolfowitz, the US nominee to head the World Bank, on Wednesday 30 March after promising to keep the institution "truly multinational."
Malaysia says reserves well-diversified
Malaysia's international reserves are well-balanced and not excessive in US dollar holdings, Bernama news agency reported, quoting Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Deputy Governor Ooi Sang Kuang.
IMF will announce gold sale plan in April - report
The International Monetary Fund plans to make proposals in April regarding selling or re-valuing some of its gold reserves, a German press report said on Tuesday 29 March.
US's Snow pleased with Brazil IMF decision
U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said in a statement on Monday 28 March that he was glad Brazil has decided it does not need a new International Monetary Fund loan accord.
China plans gradual forex reform, says PBOC chief
China will reform its exchange rate regime gradually on a schedule of its choosing and does not plan simply to revalue the yuan, the governor of the People's Bank of China said in an interview.
Brazil cuts inflation forecast amid slower growth
Brazil's central bank lowered its forecast for 2006 inflation, saying seven interest rate increases since September have helped reduce economic growth that was fueling a rise in consumer prices.
Japan, France fin mins concerned over weak dollar
The Japanese and French finance ministers expressed concern about the weak US dollar and agreed to bring the issue before Group of Seven finance ministers meeting in April, officials said in Tokyo.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, Feb 2005
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for February 2005 was +0.37, up from +0.13 in January. All four broad categories of indicators that make up the index made positive contributions last month, according to the CFNAI.
Canada's Dodge on bank's 70th anniversary
In an interview to mark the Bank of Canada's 70th anniversary, governor David Dodge said the bank is more open today than ever about how it goes about its business. "The day of the high priesthood of central bankers has come and gone."
Turkey's Serdengecti on promised reforms
In an interview published on Wednesday 23 March , the governor of Turkey's central bank, Sureyya Serdengecti, said reforms promised by the ruling AK government - but yet to be finalised - were essential to the bank's continued ability to reduce inflation…
BNB governor proposes Kostov as deputy
The governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), Ivan Iskrov, has proposed Dimitar Kostov as deputy governor of the central bank and head of the banking department.
Georgia to appoint new National Bank chief
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has asked parliament to approve the chairman of the parliamentary finance and budget committee, Roman Gotsiridze, as the next president of the National Bank, Imedi TV reported.
Adams nominated to U.S. Treasury post
U.S. President George Bush has picked Tim Adams as the Treasury's new under secretary for international affairs, the White House said on Wednesday 23 March.
Trichet voices concern on fiscal rule changes
European Central Bank head Jean-Claude Trichet voiced concern on Thursday 23 March about reforms to the European Union's stability and growth pact agreed by EU leaders this week.
BoE's King: 'Coach and horses' driven through pact
Bank of England governor Mervyn King criticised European Union leaders for loosening the fiscal rules that underpin the value of the euro on Thursday 24 March, saying restrictions on government spending in the region lack "discipline."
French audit office criticises central bank
The French financial press reported that France's audit office, Cour des Comptes, has submitted what it described as a very severe report on the way in which the Banque de France is managed.
BOJ fails to sell planned funds
The Bank of Japan failed to drain a planned amount of funds in its money market operation on Thursday 24 March for the first time in some 49 months, the central bank said.