News
Deputy BoB governor explains his departure
The deputy governor of the Bank of Botswana, Dr Keith Jefferis, resigned from the bank earlier this month after five years of service. In this article he explains the reasons for his departure, saying that he chose to leave because he wanted to set up…
After Greenspan: Ben Bernanke?
Despite strong support from the likes of Alan Blinder, Ben Bernanke is still seen as a dark-horse candidate for chairman of the Federal Reserve, according to this article. While Bernanke's move to the CEA has prompted talk that he is "one step closer" to…
Bini Smaghi wins MEPs' backing for ECB post
The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee has approved the nomination of Lorenzo Bini Smaghi to the Executive Board of the European Central Bank. At the end of a confirmation hearing on 19 April, committee members voted by 16 in favour to 2 against…
Clarida tipped as new Fed governor
According to several reports this week, the White House is considering former US Treasury official Richard Clarida for the Federal Reserve seat that would be free if Fed Governor Ben Bernanke is confirmed to the CEA.
BSP deputy governor Reyes retires
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor Alberto V. Reyes retired from his post as head of the Supervision and Examination Sector this week, a post he had held for ten years.
World Bank says China exchange rate move welcome
The World Bank has said it supports China's plan to move towards a more flexible exchange rate system as it would help the government with the conduct of its domestic monetary policy.
Fed chief says China rate move should come soon
Fed chairman Alan Greenspan told the US senate on Thursday 21 April that growing economic pressure will force China to change its policy of pegging its currency to the dollar at some point, and the sooner it happens the better.
Tanigaki says inflation targeting debate important
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said Friday 22 April that it would be important for the Bank of Japan to consider inflation targeting as a monetary policy option once the country overcomes deflation.
Federal Reserve Board - Beige Book, April 2005
The Federal Reserve published its April 2005 Beige Book survey on Wednesday 20 April. The report said US business activity continued to expand through early April, but price pressures from rising energy costs have intensified in some areas.
BoJ's Fukui sees economy recovering
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said on Thursday 21 April that the world's second-largest economy remained on a recovery track in spite of cautious business sentiment.
MOF's Asakawa says Japan won't diversify reserves
According to Japanese Ministry of Finance official Masatsugu Asakawa, Japan doesn't plan to change the percentage of US dollars in its $838 billion official reserve assets, the world's largest.
Ferguson says Fed right to watch prices
Speaking on Wednesday 20 April, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Roger Ferguson said the US central bank was correct to keep its eye on inflation pressures, but noted some volatile components contributed to a surprisingly big rise in core consumer prices in…
IMF's Rato sees S American inflation decline in 05
The head of the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday 20 April that Latin America is likely to see a further decline in inflation in 2005, despite higher oil prices.
Iran: New call for central bank independence
Iran's deputy minister of economic affairs and finance said the proposed scheme to transform the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) into an independent entity would help improve the management system of the key Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund.
Bank of England MPC Minutes, 6 & 7 April
The minutes from the 6 & 7 April meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee published on Wednesday 20 April showed policy makers voted 7- 2 to keep interest rates unchanged this month, the same split as in March, with the majority saying…
Fed's Yellen positive on inflation outlook
Janet Yellen, the president of the San Francisco Federal Reserve bank, said she is upbeat about the outlook for inflation and watching closely to see whether the economy hit a soft-spot in March.
Poole warns not to expect predictable rate rises
A top Federal Reserve policy-maker said on Tuesday 19 April that US inflation prospects are good but markets should not expect a re-run of last year's predictable pattern of interest rate rises.
Buba and German govt in united front after tension
The German government and the Bundesbank presented a unified image on economic matters following a meeting in Berlin called after reports of rising tensions over fiscal policy reforms.
Fed redesigns financial education website
The Federal Reserve announced on Monday 18 April that it has redesigned its financial education website to increase the use of Federal Reserve educational materials and promote financial education in the classroom.
ECB nominee says growth hit by confidence
The eurozone economy "is not growing sufficiently" because of a lack of consumer and business confidence, Italy's designated appointee to the European Central Bank (ECB)'s executive board said on Tuesday 19 April.
FATF launches Arab anti-money laundering group
The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has set up a regional grouping to combat money laundering in the Middle East and North Africa, the head of the Arab banking association said on Monday 18 April.
South Korea plans banknote redesign
The Bank of Korea said Monday that it will begin issuing currency bills with new security features next year, to combat an explosion of counterfeit banknotes.
EU's Almunia says China move on rates uncertain
It is impossible to gauge how or when China will decide to adjust its fixed currency peg, the European Union's top monetary official said on Monday.
IMF gold deal unlikely says Germany
German Deputy Finance Minister Caio Koch-Weser has said he sees almost no chance a plan to sell International Monetary Fund gold to fund debt relief for the world's poorest nations would be adopted.