News
Public finances 'an obstacle' to Czech euro bid
The current state of the Czech Republic's finances is an obstacle to the country switching to the euro, a top official at the Czech central bank (CNB) said in an interview published Friday 2 March.
Brazil's central bank econ director resigns
Brazilian central bank economic policy director Afonso Bevilaqua resigned Thursday 1 March citing "personal reasons" and an interest in "pursuing new projects," the central bank said in a statement.
New IMF chief economist nominated
International Monetary Fund chief Rodrigo de Rato said Wednesday 28 February he would recommend Simon Johnson, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as the IMF's new chief economist.
Romania not rushing on euro entry - report
Romania will resist European Central Bank advice to bring forward its target date for adopting the euro, opting instead for a more cautious path towards the single currency, the Financial Times reported Friday 2 March, citing central bank governor Mugur…
No recession coming says St Louis Fed chief
St. Louis Fed president William Poole on Friday 2 March rejected fears that the U.S. economy was heading into a recession, saying that while there "could be a recession," one isn't likely, echoing comments this week by former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan.
BOJ says market should be ready for global flows
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui told a forum on the money market Thursday 1 March that the Japanese money market should make necessary adjustments to be able to deal with growing global capital flows.
Greenspan says US recession possible, not probable
Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said a recession in the U.S. is possible, though not probable this year as excess inventory is being reduced quickly, according to people attending a CLSA Japan Forum in Tokyo Thursday 1 February.
Report says watchdog to probe ECB settlement plan
The European Central Bank's plans to establish an integrated securities settlement system in the euro zone will be examined by the region's competition watchdog, according to a report by the FT Thursday 1 February.
Kenya names new head of central bank
Economics professor and think-tank director Njuguna Ndung'u was named as the new head of the Central Bank of Kenya on Thursday 1 March to replace the former governor who was suspended.
Thai central bank eases controls
The Bank of Thailand said Thursday 1 March it intends to further ease capital controls on inflows of foreign funds that were imposed in December to weaken the Thai baht.
Mizuno says BOJ needs to keep raising rates
The Bank of Japan needs to keep raising interest rates, board member Atsushi Mizuno said in a speech Wednesday 28 February, a week after he and other policy board members voted to increase interest rates for the second time in six years.
ECB's Wellink says euro economy good, rates low
European Central Bank governing council member Nout Wellink said on Tuesday 27 February that eurozone interest rates were still low but oil prices are clouding the inflation outlook.
ECB's Stark continues to see inflation risks
European Central Bank board member Juergen Stark told Die Welt Wednesday 28 February that although eurozone inflation will probably slow this year, medium-term price developments remain a concern.
Buba's Weber signals ECB rate hikes
Bundesbank president Axel Weber signalled Wednesday 28 February in a speech that the European Central Bank was set to further raise its key interest rates, which are already at a five-year high point.
SNB's Jordan hints at further rate hikes ahead
Thomas S Jordan, alternate member of the Swiss National Bank's governing board, suggested Tuesday 27 February in a speech that the SNB will again raise interest rates at its meeting this spring.
Garganas says price risks growing
European Central Bank council member Nicholas Garganas told Bloomberg in an interview that economic growth may prove stronger than the ECB forecasts and inflation risks are increasing.
BoE announces retirement of Alastair Clark
Alastair Clark, adviser to the governor of the Bank of England on financial sector issues, is to retire from the Bank of England at Easter after nearly 36 years' service, the bank said Monday 26 February.
Blanchflower sees UK prices falling pretty sharply
Inflation in the UK will fall back 'pretty sharply' this year, Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member David Blanchflower said in an interview Tuesday 27 February.
ECB's Wellink criticises ABN AMRO break-up call
European Central Bank governing council member Nout Wellink said hedge fund TCI was going too far in calling for a break-up of Dutch bank ABN AMRO, Dutch daily NRC Handelsblad reported.
Fiji's economy will shrink, Reserve Bank warns
The Reserve Bank of Fiji has projected the economy will shrink two to four per cent this year, The Fiji Times reported Tuesday 27 February.
PBoC's Zhou sees yuan appreciating faster
Yuan appreciation is likely to accelerate if the country's trade surplus keeps growing, People's Bank of China (PBoC) governor Zhou Xiaochuan told the Hong Kong Commercial Daily in an interview published Tuesday 27 February.
Meirelles says China volatility serves as alert
Market volatility in Brazil and abroad seen today, Tuesday 27 February, as a result of a strong selloff in China may serve as an alert for greater caution on the part of central banks in monetary policy decisions, Brazilian central bank president…
ECB chief says wage restraint remains 'important'
European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said in an interview published Monday 26 February wage restraint in Europe remains important.
Trichet calls for yuan, Asian FX rate appreciation
ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet said Friday 23 February that there should be an appreciation in China's yuan exchange rate and other Asian currencies that aren't free-floating.