News
Mexico holds rates despite inflation spike
On 24 November, the Bank of Mexico held its benchmark lending rate at 7%, as expected, for a seventh straight month. The central bank also indicated that the recent increase in inflation would be temporary.
Warsaw hails ex-president of central bank as mayor
Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, the head of Poland's central bank from 1992 to 2000, is set to become the next mayor of the Polish capital Warsaw.
Norway's pension fund snubs
The Norges Bank-managed state pension investment fund has reportedly blacklisted several large international corporations, including the world's largest retailer Wal-mart, for "alleged human rights and labour abuses."
PBoC not focused on fine-tuning - deputy
The People's Bank of China is draining excess liquidity in order to maintain the differential between domestic and international interest rates, and not to stabilise output or reduce domestic investment, says Wu Xiaoling, the vice governor of the central…
McDonough for Santander board
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA has named William J. McDonough, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as a member of its non-executive board.
Bernanke to join Paulson in China
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke will follow in the footstep of his predecessor, Alan Greenspan, by accompanying the US Treasury secretary to Beijing next month.
Malaysia holds rates as inflation moderates
As expected, Malaysia's central bank kept interest rates steady at 3.5% for the fifth meeting in a row on Friday. The central bank said lower oil and commodity prices, together with moderate domestic price and wage increases, were keeping inflation in…
Canada maintains inflation target for next 5 years
The Bank of Canada renewed its inflation target of 2%, measured as the change in the core consumer price index, with a symmetrical band of 1% either side, for the next five years.
Turkish rates stable despite high inflation
The Turkish central bank announced on 23 November that it will keep its policy rate unchanged at 17.5% and the lending rate at 22.5% after its penultimate monetary policy committee meeting for 2006.
Euro entry unpredictable - Hungarian CB chief
The National Bank of Hungary believes it is no longer possible to say when the country will be ready to join the euro.
SA's Trevor Manuel to lead G20
South Africa's veteran finance minister, Trevor Manuel, has called on the group of 20 (G20) finance ministers and central bank governors to "build windmills in the calm of current global financial stability."
SWIFT broke laws - EU committee
SWIFT, an international financial data transfer agency, breached European data privacy laws in handing over personal data to American investigators, according to a report by a European Union committee.
Korea raises reserve ratios
Korea's central bank will raise reserve requirements on short-term deposits by 40% next month, the governor, Lee Seong-tae, announced on Thursday.
Sri Lanka could grow at 8% in 2007
Sri Lanka's economy could grow at 8% in 2007 if the violence and security concerns in the country are reduced, the central bank governor said in an interview.
UK's Lomax a surprise dissenter in rate decision
Rachel Lomax, a deputy governor at the Bank of England, was a surprise dissenter at the rate-setting meeting in November, minutes released on Tuesday showed.
PBOC establishes South Pacific office in Sydney
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced the establishment of its representative office for the South Pacific in Sydney. The office started operation on November 19, 2006.
BoJ cautiously optimistic on economic prospects
The Bank of Japan released a statement by Toshihiko Fukui, the governor of the central bank, on 22 November indicating moderated optimism about the country's economic prospects.
Norwegian Pension Fund biggest in Europe
Norway's central bank announced on 21 November the Government Pension Fund, now valued at 207 billion Nkr ($32.5 billion) and managed by the Norges Bank, is now the largest pension fund in Europe.
Muto says BoJ to raise rates when needed - report
The Bank of Japan would carry out an additional interest rate hike once it confirms a need to act, BoJ deputy governor Toshiro Muto said in an interview with Jiji Press published Tuesday 21 November.
Fisher comfortable with current Fed policy
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas president Richard Fisher said on Monday 20 November he was happy with the current policy stance of the U.S. central bank.
E. Asia-Pacific & Eurozone cb seminar
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand and the European Central Bank jointly organised the 3rd High-Level Seminar of Central Banks in the East Asia-Pacific Region and the Euro Area on Tuesday 21 November.
Slovenia cb to retain role after joining euro
Mitja Gaspari, governor of the Slovenian central bank, has said that, contrary to prevailing opinion, the institution will remain important after Slovenia's euro switchover on 1 January 2007.
Mohan says RBI to focus on price stability
The Reserve Bank of India said on Tuesday 21 November it would lay emphasis on price stability so that there is possibility of lower interest rates in the medium term.
Japan's economy to keep growing - minutes
The Bank of Japan reiterated plans to raise interest rates ``gradually,'' keeping pace with inflation and growth in the world's second-largest economy, minutes of a policy board meeting held last month showed Tuesday 21 November.