News
IMF disclaims West Africa single currency report
The on-going debate on the workability of a single currency for the West African sub-region, took another turn on Thursday as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) appeared to disclaim a report submitted by its researchers opposing Nigerian participation…
Colombia, Venezuela c banks to discuss for ex
The central bank chiefs from Colombia and Venezuela will soon meet in the Colombian city of Cartagena to discuss concerns that planned Venezuelan currency controls could disrupt debt payments, Colombia's government said on Wednesday.
ECB goes shopping
European Central Bank's extensive shopping list for 2003 is now available on the European Union's public procurement website. The site reveals that the ECB is planning major investments in IT infrastructure to create new disaster backup sites and expand…
Federal Reserve Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target for the federal funds rate unchanged at 1-1/4 percent, 30 January.
France warned over stability pact violation
France's intention to effectively ignore the EU's stability and growth pact brought warnings on Wednesday to stop challenging the rules underpinning the euro, or risk causing long-term harm to the credibility of the single currency.
Ukraine not to join Russian rouble zone - c banker
Ukraine is neither going to join the rouble zone nor has it received any relevant proposal from Russia, the chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, Serhiy Tyhypko, has said.
Mexico keeps its inflation target at 3 per cent
The Bank of Mexico on Wednesday played down the prospects of direct intervention in the foreign exchange markets to support the peso, as it unveiled a monetary policy for this year that maintains its target of 3 per cent inflation for the year.
Roger Ferguson joins CGFS as chairman
The Bank for International Settlements, owned by the world's leading central banks, has appointed Roger Ferguson as chairman of its committee on the global financial system. The CGFS is a central bank forum for monitoring and examining issues relating to…
Trichet casts loans blame on ex-minister at trial
French central bank governor Jean-Claude Trichet claimed on Wednesday that former finance minister Pierre Beregovoy ignored a series of warnings over risky loans which almost brought down the then state-owned Credit Lyonnais bank in the early 1990s.
Mizoguchi says Japan shares Fed view on US economy
Japan's top financial diplomat, Zembei Mizoguchi, said on Thursday that Japan shares the Federal Reserve's view on the U.S. economy, but said he had no comment on short-term moves in the forex market.
Treasury's Fisher declines comment on Fed job
Senior U.S. Treasury official Peter Fisher on Wednesday declined to comment when asked about reports he is a leading candidate to head the New York Federal Reserve Bank after the retirement of William McDonough in July.
Bank of England's model comes in for criticism
Research has cast doubt on the accuracy of forecasting models used by the Bank of England. It suggests the models forecast for inflation two years ahead was on average 0.5 percentage points too high.
Hong Kong Monetary Authority Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Mr Joseph Yam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, met with Mr Zhou Xiaochuan, the newly appointed Governor of the People's Bank of China, in Beijing today, 29 January.
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Measures to improve the efficiency of the operational framework for monetary policy, 23 January.
Paraguayan president central bank corruption claim
Impeachment proceedings have begun against Paraguay's President Luis Gonzalez Macchi. The President is accused of five counts of corruption, including the embezzlement of US$26m from the central bank.
Treasury Committee assess euro entry prospects
A series of hearings continued Tuesday with a distinguished panel of experts giving evidence to the UK's Treasury Select Committee on the prospects for UK euro entry. The group called for reform of the ECB with a redefined inflation target and gave a…
Soros criticises EU budget rules inflation focus
Renowned U.S. financier and philanthropist George Soros criticised the euro zone's strict budget rules Monday, saying there are serious problems in the management of the common currency that must be resolved.
Bahrain to upgrade bank law
Bahrain has hired two well known international consultants to assess and update its monetary regulations, particularly on Islamic finance.
Inflation target may harm economy, says Koizumi
Junichiro Koizumi, Japan's prime minister, on Wednesday appeared to back away from recent suggestions that he will appoint an inflation hawk at the Bank of Japan, saying an inflation target could harm the economy.
Polish central bank cuts interest rates
Poland's central bank announced a cut in interest rates Wednesday, moving to stimulate the sluggish economy after inflation fell to a record low.
Appointment of Irish bank staffer branded 'farce'
The appointment of a second Irish central bank executive to a key post in the new Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA) has been criticised as a "farce and a disgrace".
Minutes of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting
MINUTES - Minutes of the Bank of Japan's Monetary Policy Meeting on 16 and 17 December 2002, released 27 January. Japan's Ministry of Finance pressured the BOJ to increase its monthly purchases of government bonds to two trillion yen ($16.97 billion)…
Japan's Shiokawa, Hayami disagree over yen policy
Japan's finance minister and its central bank chief clashed over exchange rate policy on Tuesday, with Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa supporting a weaker yen.
Settlement link - HKMA and Clearstream goes live
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said Tuesday a direct link between its transaction settlement system and Europe's Clearstream system has gone live.