News
New Zealand hosts EMEAP central bank governors
Central bank governors from major countries in the region gathered in New Zealand over the weekend to discuss common issues, Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard said Monday 29 May.
IMF names Liam P. Ebrill as HR director
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the IMF, on Friday 26 May named Liam P. Ebrill to the position of Director of the Human Resources Department to succeed Jorge Marquez-Ruarte.
IMF's Rato offers condolences after earthquake
Rodrigo de Rato, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, made a statement offering his deepest condolences on Sunday 28 May regarding the earthquake affecting Indonesia.
ECB's Issing warns against EMU 'tensions'
European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing is warning against "tensions" in the European monetary union, according to an interview published in Handelsblatt on Monday 29 May.
Fukui says zero rate policy depends on economy
Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said in parliamentary testimony on Tuesday 30 May that ending the central bank's zero interest rate policy depends on economic growth and inflation.
BoE's Blanchflower approved by committee
The parliamentary Treasury Select Committee endorsed on Tuesday 30 May David Blanchflower's appointment to the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee.
Bush nominates Henry Paulson as Treasury Secretary
US President George W. Bush on Tuesday 30 May said he would appoint Hank Paulson, chief executive of Goldman Sachs, to take over from John Snow as treasury secretary.
Russian central bank to manage state oil fund
Russia's central bank has been given the green light to manage the state's fund of oil profits, the Russian minister of finance, Alexey Kudrin, announced earlier this week.
Central bankers eye Norway's clarity on rates
According to this article published by the Financial Times on Friday 26 May, Norges Bank's "subversive" transparency is attracting a great deal of attention in central banking circles.
PBOC's Tang says China may not tighten further
China may not need to tighten its macro-economic policy further in the near future, Tang Xu, the director of the People's Bank of China's research bureau, said in an interview published in the official Shanghai Securities News.
UAE offers training to central bank of Afghanistan
The central bank of the UAE on Thursday 25 May offered to provide the central bank of Afghanistan with technical training for its staff, the Khaleej Times reported.
Fed can't ignore stock, home prices says Bernanke
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said in a written response to a senator that the US central bank cannot turn a blind eye to price changes for stocks and homes when deciding on interest rates, but should take action only when they threaten the overall economy.
Bernanke to deliver MIT's commencement address
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke will deliver the main commencement address at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on 9 June.
Syria, Lebanon sign memorandum on money laundering
Syria and Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday 24 May to fight money laundering and terrorist financing, the Syrian News Agency SANA reported.
Singapore, Thai central banks sign supervisory MOU
Singapore and Thailand have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for banking supervisory cooperation between the two countries, the MAS said Thursday 25 May.
MAS says common Asian currency unlikely soon
A top official from the Monetary Authority of Singapore has said that the establishment of a common Asian currency is unlikely to be realised in the near term.
China will strictly control new bank loans
China's banking regulator said in a statement published Thursday 25 May that it will strictly control the issuance of new loans.
China's reserve center to open in July
The China International Reserve Center will open in Shanghai this July, according to the China Knowledge website.
Bush has 'total confidence' in Bernanke
President George W. Bush has "total confidence" in Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke, a top White House adviser said in an interview on Thursday 25 May.
Blanchflower is 'no shrinking violet'
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee's latest member, David Blanchflower, told the Treasury Select Committee on Wednesday 24 May that his commitment to the rate setting MPC will form his "primary responsibility."
Stark appointed to ECB, Zeitler joins Buba
Jurgen Stark, vice-president of the Bundesbank, has been formally appointed to the European Central Bank's executive board, European Union officials announced Tuesday 23 May, according to the FT.
Bank of Canada raises rates
The Bank of Canada announced Wednesday 24 May that it is raising its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 4 1/4 per cent. The move had been widely expected.
IMF's Rato says global rate rises healthy
Increases in global interest rates are healthy and policy makers and central banks need to keep a watchful eye on inflation, the head of the International Monetary Fund said in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday 24 May.
BOJ member sees reserve cut problem
According to minutes of the Bank of Japan's April 10-11 board meeting, published Wednesday 24 May, a policy maker said a rapid reduction in reserves by the central bank may spur speculation of an interest-rate increase from near zero.