News
Europe must relax inflation test for euro entrants
According to this article by Willem Buiter, published Thursday 4 May, forcing eurozone membership candidate countries to meet both an exchange rate criterion and an inflation criterion makes no economic sense.
Why India badly needs a new financial regulator
With two of its stock markets now among the world's five most active, India badly needs a modern financial regulator, according to this article published Thursday 4 May.
Is the IMF still useful?
IMF reform has been on the policy agenda for a long time. In the last year, however, reform discussions acquired a new sense of urgency, this article by Barry Eichengreen published Thursday 4 May says.
China needs more Volcker and less Greenspan
According to this article published Monday 1 May, China's recent increase in interest rates may have the opposite effect to what was intended. The move may boost the economy, instead of slowing it, it says.
ECB signals June rate rise
At the ECB's post-meeting press conference, after holding eurozone interest rates unchanged, on Thursday 4 May Jean-Claude Trichet said the Governing Council will exercise strong vigilance in order to ensure that risks to price stability over the medium…
ADB says growth depends on oil price fall
The Asian Development Bank has said the rapid growth of the region's economies may only be sustained if there is a decline in global oil prices.
Vietnam to issue VND20,000 polymer notes
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will issue VND20,000 polymer notes into circulation from May 17.
ECB warns on Sepa timetable
The European Central Bank has issued a raft of amendments to a draft Directive on harmonising payment services in the EU, and warned that any delays in adoption of the rules could wreck the proposed timetable for the introduction of a Single Euro…
RBA raises interest rates 0.25%
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates to a 5-year high of 5.75% on Wednesday 3 May. "The Board judged at its May meeting that inflationary risks had increased sufficiently to warrant an increase in the cash rate," RBA governor Ian…
Bernanke couldn't be clearer -- You hear that?
According to this article published on Wednesday 3 May, although virtually all reporters treat discussions at social events as being off-the-record, Ben Bernanke wasn't cautious enough about the ground rules when he chatted with journalists at the recent…
Issing's views return to fashion
Just as he prepares to leave the European Central Bank, Otmar Issing's views are coming into fashion, according to the article 'Issing's views return to fashion as he prepares to leave ECB' published on Wednesday 3 May.
Fed and ECB communications stumble
Things have gone somewhat awry the past month for major central banks which pride themselves on clear communications, this article published on Tuesday 2 May reports.
Gieve urged to resign from BoE
Sir John Gieve, deputy governor of the Bank of England, is being urged to resign following revelations of financial mismanagement at the Home Office, where he was permanent secretary, The Independent on Sunday reported on 30 April. The report said the…
Too early to declare end of deflation - Koizumi
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters on Tuesday 2 May that it's too early to declare an end to deflation in Japan.
Exporters should watch Swiss franc says SNB chief
Swiss National Bank president Jean-Pierre Roth said in an interview that Swiss exporters should keep a close eye on the Swiss franc and protect themselves for possible volatility.
Ringgit rise 'orderly' says Malaysia
Malaysia has said the strengthening of the ringgit currency to an eight-year high against the dollars is "orderly" and in line with expectations, newspaper reports said.
Fed's pause may send Asian currencies higher
With Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke signalling a pause in U.S. interest-rate increases, the spotlight is once again on Asia, according to this article published on Tuesday 2 May.
Another year awash in liquidity
As liquidity continues to mount amid deepening global imbalances, some members of the central bank community are calling for significant changes in the framework of monetary and regulatory policy. This article examines the proposals and the market…
Atlanta's Guynn says Fed journey ending
The Federal Reserve's journey to bring interest rates back to a more normal setting is almost complete, if the economy performs as expected in coming weeks and months, said Jack Guynn, the president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve on Monday 1 May.
Markets misunderstand testimony says Bernanke
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke believes that the media and the markets have misinterpreted his words last week as a signal that the Fed would stop after one more rate hike, according to CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo on Monday 1 May.
Fed's Moskow says inflation contained
Chicago Federal Reserve President Michael Moskow on Monday 1 May said in an interview that core inflation is currently contained, but is at the high end of his "comfort zone," and at the top of his list of worries about the economy.
Interview with IMF's Wanda Tseng
Wanda Tseng, deputy director at the IMF's Asia and Pacific department, said on Tuesday 2 May that China's decision to raise interest rates for the first time in 18 months is welcome but the country needs to let its currency move more freely.
Bernanke delivers 'There may come a time' speech
According to this article published on Friday 28 April , Fed chairman Ben Bernanke has given his version of Greenspan's "there may come a time" speech, suggesting the Fed could pause in its campaign to raise rates.
Norway contributes to UN principles on investments
Norges Bank published the document "Principles for Responsible Investment" on Thursday 27 April. The principles were developed by an international group of major institutional investors, on the basis of an initiative by the UN.