News
HKMA releases pay review details
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has announced the result of its annual pay review for staff of the HKMA in 2004.
A hyperactive central banker who needed an anchor
The Dallas Fed has introduced a special section to its website "Rhymes with No Reason" listing some of Bob McTeer's classic poems. As well as prose from the 'lonesome dove' it contains various stories including how he apparently saved a dog's life.
But Fund staff hit out at selection process
The perceived carve up of the IMF and World Bank top jobs between the US and Europe provoked a grassroots revolt among staff at the Washington-based Fund this week.
Greenspan well, but has he upset the White House?
Rumours that Alan Greenspan had a heart attack were soon dismissed but a report this week says the Fed chairman is out of favour with the White House following the release of Paul O'Neill's book.
Kate Barker reappointed to MPC
The UK Chancellor Gordon Brown announced the reappointment of Kate Barker to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Friday 2 April for a second term of three years.
Fire alarm halts ECB press conference
The ECB's monthly news conference in its Eurotower headquarters on Thursday 1 April was interrupted temporarily by a fire alarm.
Liikanen may bid for governorship of Finland cb
Erkki Liikanen, the European Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society, says that he is considering applying for the post of Governor of the Bank of Finland.
Hungary set to delay eurozone entry
The Hungarian government is likely to delay the country's euro entry by one or two years from the original target of 2008, finance minister Tibor Draskovics said on Thursday 1 April.
Foreign reserves hit record high in South Korea
South Korea's foreign currency reserves hit a record high of 163.56 billion dollars at the end of March, according to the Bank of Korea.
IMF and WB to play part in Iraqi debt settlement
Russian Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin said on Friday 2 April that the issue of Iraqi debt settlement will be solved together with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
IIE sees strong economic growth in coming years
The Institute for International Economies (IIE) says that world economic growth will reach its highest rate in a generation in 2004 led by strong performances in the US and emerging Asia, before moderating in 2005.
Sveriges Riksbank cuts repo rates to 2.0%
At its meeting on 31 March, the Executive Board of the Riksbank decided to lower the repo rate by 0.5 percentage points to 2.0 per cent. This decision was based on the picture of future inflation in the Riksbank's latest Inflation Report.
Fed rate change near election ' political'
Changing interest rates near the U.S. presidential election is an inherently political act the Federal Reserve would try to avoid, but if it has to move it will, a top Fed policy-maker said on Tuesday 30 March.
Guynn: Rates must return to neutral
Low US interest rates must be brought back to a more neutral level and if they stay down for too long financial market excesses can build, Atlanta Fed chief Jack Guynn said on Tuesday 30 March.
ECB opinion of proposed member of Executive Board
At the 1 April meeting of the Governing Council of the ECB it adopted an opinion on a recommendation from the Council of the European Union on the appointment of a new member of its Executive Board.
ECB questions and answers
The European Central Bank held interest rates unchanged at its meeting on 1 April. Jean-Claude Trichet told the afternoon press conference the ECB's key rates remain "in line with the maintenance of price stability" in the eurozone, although recent…
Japanese Tankan report shows signs of improvement
There are further signs of economic recovery in Japan, with a key measure of Japanese business confidence at its highest level in seven years.
IMF warns of Philippines debt crisis
The International Monetary Fund has expressed "serious concerns" over the Philippines government's budget and indebtedness in a report.
Fed says Greenspan in 'fine' health
The Federal Reserve has dismissed the rumour which swept financial markets on Wednesday 31 March that Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan had suffered a heart attack.
Top Islamic bankers meeting in Bali
The Islamic world's top central bankers are meeting in Bali to tackle problems ranging from personnel to paperwork that hinder Islamic banking.
Brazil doesn't plan to renew IMF accord, Meirelles
The Brazilian government doesn't plan to renew a $14.8 billion loan accord with the International Monetary Fund that expires this year, as it is accumulating foreign reserves, central bank president Henrique Meirelles said.
IADB conference opens in Peru
Finance ministers and central bank presidents from 46 nations are meeting in Lima to participate in the Inter-American Development Bank conference, which opened on Monday 29 March.
Eurozone inflation remains at four-year low
Inflation in the 12-nation eurozone stood at a four-year low point of 1.6 percent in March, unchanged from February, Eurostat said in a preliminary estimate on Wednesday 31 March.
BSP raises $500M from foreign banks
The Philippine central bank said on Wednesday 31 March that it has raised 500 million dollars in financing from a syndicate of eight foreign banks.