News
UBS reveals $10 billion subprime loss
UBS, a bank, said on Monday that it would write down $10 billion-worth of subprime losses, the second largest amount revealed so far. The bank also said it could make a loss for the financial year because of its subprime liabilities.
Canada spells out SWF requirements
The Canadian government will block investment by state-owned enterprises, such as sovereign wealth funds, unless corporate governance and commercial standards are adhered to.
GIC could get 9% UBS stake from $9.8 billion loan
The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), a sovereign wealth fund, on Monday said that its Sfr11 billion ($9.8 billion) investment in UBS, the bank, could lead to it acquiring as much as a 9% stake in the company.
Finland's Liikanen warns of dual threat
Erkki Liikanen, the governor of the Bank of Finland, said on Monday that the downside risks to growth have risen and inflation was set to accelerate.
Cyprus holds rates at 4.5%
The Central Bank of Cyprus's rate-setting monetary policy committee voted on Monday to keep its benchmark rate at 4.5% in its last scheduled decision.
UK cut does little to alleviate interbank tension
Sterling interbank borrowing costs fell only slightly in response to the Bank of England's 25 basis point rate cut on Thursday, indicating that the cut did little to alleviate liquidity tensions.
SEC's Cox warns on SWF state ownership
The fundamental question on sovereign wealth funds does not concern the advisability of foreign ownership, but rather of government ownership, says Christopher Cox, the head of the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC).
Indonesia cuts rates unexpectedly
Bank Indonesia's rate-setting board surprised markets on Thursday by lowering its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 8%.
Peru keeps rates at 5%
The Central Bank of Peru's rate-setting board on Thursday voted to hold its benchmark reference rate at 5% after monthly inflation fell to 0.11% in November.
Korean rates on hold amid uncertainty
The Bank of Korea's rate-setting monetary policy committee kept the benchmark uncollateralised overnight rate at 5% despite an increase in inflation.
Old Lady cuts rates to 5.5%
The Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted on Thursday to cut its benchmark bank rate by 25 basis points after data suggested the UK economy was weakening.
Binned Bundesbank secrets found by hairdresser
A Berlin-based hairdresser has found secret drawings for a Bundesbank vault in a bin in the centre of the German capital.
ECB keeps rates at 4%
The European Central Bank's (ECB) rate-setting Governing Council held its benchmark rate at 4%. The vote contrasts with decisions in recent days to cut rates from the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
South Africa bids to cool economy with 50bp rise
The South African Reserve Bank looked to dampen rampant inflation by hiking rates by half a percentage point for the third time since July.
Japanese lawmakers want $100 billion SWF
Japanese politicians from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party want to start a $100 billion sovereign wealth fund in order to improve returns on foreign exchange reserves.
UK moves to encourage SWF investment
The British authorities on Tuesday launched a charm offensive in a bid to coax sovereign wealth funds to invest in UK business.
Australia holds rates at 6.75%
The Reserve Bank of Australia's rate-setting board voted on Wednesday to leave its benchmark cash rate at 6.75%, an 11-year high.
Nigeria combats inflation with 50bp hike
The Central Bank of Nigeria's rate-setting board voted on Tuesday to raise rates by half a percentage point to 9.5% in a bid to fight inflation.
Interest rates set to climb in China in 2008
The People's Bank of China said on Wednesday that it would step up its fight against inflation by implementing tighter monetary policy controls and utilising other monetary tools in 2008.
Thailand holds rates despite rising inflation
The Bank of Thailand's rate-setting board voted on Tuesday to keep its benchmark one-day repurchase rate at 3.25% in spite of signs that inflation is beginning to accelerate.
Canada surprises markets with quarter-point cut
The Bank of Canada's rate-setting board voted unexpectedly on Tuesday to cut its benchmark overnight rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%.
We were transparent enough, say bankers
Investors were given all the information they required on structured products, a group of senior figures at top investment and commercial banks told UK lawmakers on Tuesday.
UK regulator warns on worsening liquidity risk
Mortgage lenders must protect themselves against the "very real prospect" that liquidity conditions will worsen in 2008, Clive Briault, the retail managing director at the Financial Services Authority (FSA), Britain's banking regulator, said on Tuesday.
De Gregorio set to become Chilean governor
Jose de Gregorio, the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Chile will take over from Vittorio Corbio as governor of the central bank later this week, Michelle Bachelet, Chile's president, announced on Monday.