News
Tripartite protocol on banking supervision signed
Jean-Claude Trichet and Dr. Farouk El Okdah, governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, on 13 November signed a Tripartite Protocol to mark the start of a Eurosystem Technical Assistance Programme on Banking Supervision.
India's PM calls for Asia growth push
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked South Asian nations to show the resolve and maturity to grasp opportunities to become a major engine of growth for the global economy.
Record central bank gold sales forecast
London-based GFMS is forecasting record net gold sales by central banks in 2005 of about 700 tons, up from over 500 tons in 2004, GFMS Executive Chairperson Philip Klapwijk said on Tuesday 15 November.
EU's Almunia calls for respect of ECB independence
EU economic and monetary affairs commissioner Joaquin Almunia on Thursday 17 November called on the European Commission and member states to respect the independence of the European Central Bank.
China to push currency reform
China will continue with market-orientated currency reforms while keeping the exchange rate of the yuan basically stable, said Su Ning, a vice-governor of the People's Bank of China on Thursday 17 November.
Sri Lanka's economy overcomes tsunami setback
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has released its report on Recent Economic Developments - Highlights of 2005 and Prospects for 2006. The Report highlights the performance of the economy in 2005 and prospects for 2006.
Bernanke urges action on China currency
Federal Reserve chairman-designate Ben Bernanke has called on China to reform its currency regime in the interests of its own economy.
Senate panel gives Bernanke go ahead as Fed chair
The U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday 16 November approved the nomination of Ben Bernanke to be chairman of the Federal Reserve, sending it to the full Senate for a final confirming vote.
SARB may increase gold reserves
The South African Reserve Bank might increase its gold reserves, its head said Tuesday, but gave few details.
Yosano downplays BOJ criticism
Japan's economic and fiscal policy minister Kaoru Yosano downplayed criticism Tuesday 15 November within the government over the Bank of Japan's plan to explore an end to its ultra-loose monetary policy.
Market drives US payment systems - Fed's Olson
In a speech at the First EU/US Retail Banking Forum Conference in Brussels, US Federal Reserve governor Mark W. Olson said the private and public sectors have contributed to a "more efficient national payments system that facilitates greater commerce and…
EC endorses amended IAS 39
The European Commission (EC) has endorsed the amended version of the International Accounting Standard 39 (IAS 39).
Duck-soo urges BoK caution
South Korea's finance minister, Han Duck-soo, said on Tuesday 15 November that the Bank of Korea should be "more cautious" in raising interest rates.
New currency for Zimbabwe
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has announced that it will introduce a new currency next year. RBZ governor Gideon Gono said the new currency would be unveiled "at a date to be announced".
Bernanke hawkish on inflation
In his confirmation hearing before the US Sentate Banking Committee, Ben Bernanke expressed some concerns about the current inflation rate in the US.
Bernanke heads to Capitol Hill
Market participants will have all eyes on Ben Bernanke as he appears before a US Senate committee on Tuesday, 15 November. Bernanke is to appear before the Senate Banking Committee as part of the run-up to him taking over the reins from Alan Greenspan as…
BoE interest rate challenge gets under way
The sixth annual Bank of England (BoE)/Times Target Two Point Zero Interest Rate Challenge commences on 21 November. The competition asks nearly one thousand school and college students to decide what the UK's official interest rate should be to keep…
CLS data on FX transactions
The CLS (Continuous Linked Settlement) Group on Monday released new data showing that during October 2005, a daily average of 215,016 foreign exchange transactions was completed using their global settlement system.
CBs to buy more gold - Rogoff
Kenneth Rogoff told delegates attending a precious metals conference in Johannesburg that he expects central bank gold sales to be reversed in time.
Bank of Canada enhances transparency
The Bank of Canada has implemented new measures to enhance the transparency and accountability of its operations.
ECB opposes BoI reform bill
Attempts to reform governance structures at the Bank of Italy (BoI) yesterday received another blow when Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, a member of the ECB's executive board, said the government should amend some of the initiatives proposed in a parliamentary bill.
No rates change, recovery "gradual" - BoK's Park
The Bank of Korea (BoK) on Thursday 10 November left its benchmark short-term interest rate unchanged at 3.5 percent. The decision was widely expected by market participants, following a 25 basis point increase last month.
Shariah guidelines
Comments by delegates attending a conference on Islamic financial services in Luxembourg suggest that Shariah guidelines present a headache for central bankers.
New central banking appointments
A number of new appointments in key central banking positions were announced last week.