News
Korea's forged bank notes soar in 1st quarter
SOUTH KOREA - The number of attempts to use counterfeit bank notes in the first quarter of the year increased dramatically in South Korea, due mainly to easier access to computer scanners and colour photocopiers it is reported.
BofE's Clementi may become new Prudential chief
UK - David Clementi, deputy governor of the Bank of England, is favourite to become the next chairman of the Prudential Corporation reports the Sunday Telegraph, in a move that will reassure the City following last week's sudden resignation of Sir Roger…
Argentina's banks re-open to chaotic scenes
ARGENTINA - Argentina's banks and financial markets reopened on Monday after a 10-day emergency shutdown.
Fraga sees crisis in Argentina as "worrying"
BRAZIL - Central Bank chairman Arminio Fraga said on Friday that the crisis in neighboring Argentina is "extremely worrying". He compared Argentina to Brazil, stating the former has yet to restructure its state finances, which he said was carried out…
Thailand eases bank credit-card rules
THAILAND - Thailand's central bank Friday announced it has eased rules and regulations governing commercial banks' credit-card services in order to promote competitiveness and improve the quality of service.
Internet banking users top 12 million in Korea
SOUTH KOREA - The number of subscribers to Internet banking services reached 12.41 million at the end of March in South Korea, up 9.7 percent from 11.31 million at the end of last year, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said Monday.
Bundesbank's new board members approved
GERMANY - The constitution of the Deutsche Bundesbank's new board was settled Friday, a month after lawmakers agreed to adapt the central bank's structure to the era of the European single currency.
Outgoing chief warns on Greek competitiveness
GREECE - In the Greek central bank's annual report released on Monday the governor warned that his country was losing competitiveness in the eurozone in spite of high levels of investment driven by transfers from EU structural funds.
ECB gold reserves declined to 26 April
GERMANY - The European Central Bank said Tuesday that the Eurosystem's net reserves in gold and gold receivables declined by EUR306 million to EUR139.5 billion in the week ended 26 April.
ECB Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Publication of 'The single monetary policy in the euro area: General documentation on Eurosystem monetary policy instruments and procedures', 26 April.
RBNZ News Release
NEWS RELEASE - RBNZ Board begins process for finding new Governor, 29 April.
Argentine Peso will not be fixed, says Lavagna
ARGENTINA - Argentina's banks and exchange markets will open today for the first time in nine days, as the new economy minister, Roberto Lavagna, attempts to calm fears of a wholesale collapse of the financial system.
NZ central bank has six months to replace Brash
NEW ZEALAND - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand said in a statement released Monday that it will advertise the position of governor locally and overseas - a decision that leaves the door open for an external candidate to fill the role vacated by Don Brash…
Central banker may become road sweeper in Russia
RUSSIA - After more than a decade running the Russian Central Bank, Viktor Gerashchenko says he'll try his hand as a street sweeper if his pension payments don't come through soon.
Dep gov, Thomopoulos, interested in becoming chief
GREECE - Bank of Greece's depupy-governor, Panagiotis Thomopoulos, on Friday expressed his interest in replacing Mr Lucas Papademos at the central bank's head.
Ireland asks - Please be gentle with your euros
IRELAND - The new euro notes are taking a battering in Ireland. Despite being in circulation only four months some of them have deteriorated to such an extent that they will have to be replaced.
Duma votes for second reading on c bank law
RUSSIA - The Russian State Duma at its Friday plenary meeting voted unanimously (with 366 votes) to return amendments to the law on the Central Bank for a second reading.
RSA to delist from Securities Exchange on 2 May
SOUTH AFRICA - The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) will delist from the JSE Securities Exchange from the start of business on 2 May after the required number of shareholders voted in support of the move, it said on Friday.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand News Release
NEWS RELEASE - Brash resigns, 26 April.
Reserve Bank of New Zealand News Release
NEWS RELEASE - RBNZ: business as usual, 26 April.
PBOC to regulate online banking in China
CHINA - Banks opening online-banking services for the first time need to have their headquarters file an application with the People's Bank of China (PBOC), its branches or business-management departments, according to interim measures regulating online…
New Zealand bank governor resigns
NEW ZEALAND - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Don Brash has stepped down after 14 years in the top job to make a new career for himself as a politician.
Polish rate cut too shallow - Fin Min
POLAND - The National Bank of Poland's (NBP) rate cuts on Thursday confirmed the bank's support for the leftist government's economic programme, but Finance Minister Marek Belka hoped for deeper cuts, his spokesman said.
Argentina appoints new economy chief
ARGENTINA - Argentina's President Eduardo Duhalde has named the free market economist Roberto Lavagna as his new economy minister.