News
Malaysia rules out ringgit free-float
Malaysia's central bank ruled out any moves to free-float the ringgit on Wednesday 25 May, warning it could lead to volatility but said it was open to opportunities for a better exchange mechanism.
Bank of Canada keeps interest rates unchanged
The Bank of Canada announced Wednesday 25 May that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 2 1/2 per cent. The operating band for the overnight rate is unchanged, and the Bank Rate remains at 2 3/4 per cent.
FOMC Minutes, 3 May
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's 3 May meeting published on Tuesday 24 May showed members saw rising inflation as a bigger threat to the economy than a series of weak economic reports and decided to raise interest rates.
Fiji's Narube warns of slower growth this year
Presenting the Reserve Bank of Fiji's quarterly report for March 2005, RBF governor Savenaca Narube warned that economic growth is expected to be lower this year, while the longer term trend will depend on export success.
Housing plan may not lift prices says BoE's Barker
A plan by the UK government to help up to 100,000 Britons buy their own homes may not push up house prices as the government is committed to increasing supply, Bank of England policymaker Kate Barker said on Tuesday 24 May.
Fed's Moskow promotes personal accounts
Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Michael Moskow said on Monday he favours the idea of "some kind of personal accounts" as a method of addressing the long-term funding issues facing Social Security.
Memorandum of understanding on financial crises
The banking supervisory authorities, the central banks and the Finance Ministries of the European Union (EU) have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation in financial crisis situations, 18 May.
Chicago Fed National Activity Index, Apr 2005
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index for April 2005 was +0.10, up from -0.04 in March. Two of the four broad categories of indicators that comprise the index-employment and consumption and housing-made positive contributions.
Kosovo to establish a central bank
Economy and Finance Minister Haki Shatri told KosovaLive website that UNMIK (UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) and the government finally have agreed that Banking and Payment Authority of Kosova will become the Central Bank of Kosova.
Iraq central bank plans payment transfer system
Iraq's central bank plans to implement a new interbank payment system that will revolutionize the country's inefficient banking system by the end of this year, Governor Sinan al-Shabibi said in an interview Friday 20 May.
BoE's Tucker reappointed to MPC
Paul Tucker, Executive Director for Markets at the Bank of England, has been reappointed for a further three-year term as a member of the Monetary Policy Committee with effect from 1 June 2005.
Bank of Canada to reallocate responsibilities
Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge and Senior Deputy Governor Paul Jenkins announced a reallocation of responsibilities among several Deputy Governors on Tuesday 17 May.
Senior appointments at Bank of Canada
Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge and Senior Deputy Governor Paul Jenkins, on behalf of the Board of Directors, announced a number of new appointments to the senior management team on Tuesday 17 May.
Euroclear appoints John Trundle MD
Euroclear SA/NV announced on Thursday 19 May that John Trundle will become Managing Director and head of Risk Management for the Euroclear group, effective 6 June.
Interview with RBI's Reddy
In an interview published on Wednesday 18 May Reserve Bank of India Governor Yaga Venugopal Reddy said any revaluation of the Chinese yuan will have less of an impact on India than other Asian countries.
Greenspan could stay on longer at Fed
The US administration of George W. Bush is considering whether to encourage Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan to stay for at least a few months beyond the 31 Jan expiration of his term, the Washington Post reported this week.
Fed's Gramlich resigns to pursue teaching
Edward Gramlich submitted his resignation Wednesday 18 May as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, effective 31 August. Gramlich is resigning to pursue several teaching and research interests.
Paraguay's central bank chief approved by Senate
Fifty-three years after its creation, the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) is to be chaired by a woman, when the Senate awarded the position to Monica Lujan Perez dos Santos.
US revokes visa for ex-Nicaraguan cen bank chief
US authorities have revoked the visa of the former head of Nicaragua's central bank for reputed acts of corruption, the Associated Press reported officials saying.
Brazil's Meirelles faces fraud probe
Brazil's Supreme Court has authorised a criminal investigation against Henrique Meirelles, the country's central bank chief, over alleged tax fraud and misdemeanours against the financial system.
Mervyn King and the invisible hand
Bank of England governor Mervyn King delivered a speech this week in which he revealed his "Maradona theory of interest rates" based on the Argentine legend's second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.
Bank of Canada issues upgraded $10 bank note
The Bank of Canada put into circulation an upgraded $10 bank note with enhanced security features on Wednesday 18 May.
BoJ's Fukui says board split 7-2 on target cut
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Friday 20 May that the BoJ's policy board vote was spilt 7-2 on maintaining the liquidity target at 30-35 trln yen. "Two members thought the target ought to be lowered," Fukui told a press conference.
Hungary bank chief says forint can weaken
Hungary's forint can weaken by "a few percentage points" without sparking an inflation rise, deputy central bank governor Gyorgy Szapary said in an interview.