News
Venezuela's Chavez pushes central bank to cut rate
Venezuela's central bank has apparently been threatened with court action by the president of the country over its reluctance to cut interest rates, according to a Reuters report. The government is struggling to revive the recession-bound economy which…
IMF condolences over death of Iranian cb governor
Horst Kohler, the managing director of the IMF, has sent a message to Iran's president expressing his sorrow over the sudden death of the governor of the central bank of Iran, Mohsen Nurbakhsh, reports the IRNA news agency
Serbia, Montenegro appoint National Bank to IMF
Serbia and Montenegro have agreed to appoint the national bank and its governor as fiscal agents with the IMF, says the Tanjung news agency.
Bundesbank's profits shrink by nearly 50%
The Bundesbank revealed this week that profits for 2002 fell by almost 50%. Gold and currency reserves were shown to have more than halved on the previous year, accordint to a report in the Frankfurther Allgemeine Zeitung.
Extra six months proposed for Duisenberg at ECB
A report by Belga News quoting official sources says Greece, as the current holders of the EU presidency, will propose that ECB president Wim Duisenberg stays on for another six months in office.
ECB's Papademos praises Ireland's economy
In a speech made in Dublin and reported by RTE News, the ECB's vice president, Lucas Papademos, said the Irish economy was a good example to others. He also outlined and defended the ECB's proposed new three-tier rotating voting system.
US seizes $1.62bn in Iraqi assets
The US has seized $1.62 billion in Iraqi assets and will use the money to rebuild the country once the conflict has ended, reports Associated Press
CentralBankNet Monday Special Feature
SPECIAL FEATURE - In an exclusive interview with CentralBankNet.com, Professor Fatih Ozatay, the vice-governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, explains how the war in Iraq is affecting the central bank, and what it is doing to mitigate…
Bergstrom: Driving forces behind EMU
Deputy Governor of the Sveriges Riksbank Villy Bergstrom gave speeches on Thursday at a seminar for trade union representatives in Brunnsvik and at a meeting organised by the Study Promotion Association and JAK Bank in Orsa on the political and economic…
Treasury statement on the RBA Board appointment
Statement by Peter Costello, Treasurer of Australia on the appointment of Robert Gerard to the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia, 25 March.
Bush meets Fed chief to indicate priorities
Fed chairman Alan Greenspan met with George Bush earlier this week to brief the US president on the state of the US economy, according to a report in the Financial Post. The meeting came as Mr Bush prepared to ask Congress for at least US$70-billion to…
ECB April rate move unlikely - Welteke
A rate cut is not on the cards, at the moment at least, said Bundesbank chief Ernst Welteke on Wednesday. With the economic impact of the war still far from certain he said it made no sense to take any sort of action, according to a Reuters report.
No Iraqi money in Ukraine - Central Bank
Speaking on Wednesday March 27, Serhiy Tyhypko said that the US call to freeze Iraqi assets would not affect the Ukraine as the country did not hold any Iraqi bank accounts, according to a report by Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.
Bank of Canada appoints Desjardins to its Board
The Bank of Canada has appointed Jean-Guy Desjardins to its Board, according to the Financial Post. He will take up the position immediately.
Vahhaji takes over as central bank head in Iran
After the sudden death of the governor of the central bank of Iran, Mohsen Nourbakhsh, at the weekend, it has been announced by the Islamic Republic News Agency that the deputy governor will assume the position of interim governor.
Lebanese central bank fighting money laundering
A report issued on Wednesday March 26 says that the central bank of Lebanon is increasing its activities against suspected money launderers, according to a report in the Lebanon Daily Star. Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh is reported to have said in…
ABM lauds Bank Negara monetary measures
Malaysia's Association of Banks has praised measures set out by the central bank governor in the 2002 Annual Report. It said the steps would help maintain growth and support business activity.
HKMA Pay Adjustments 2003
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced on Thursday March 27 that the pay adjustments for staff of the HKMA would take effect in April 2003. The changes include a further reduction of just over 5% in fixed pay for Chief Executive Joseph Yam.
Dominican central bank chief becomes minister
The president of the Dominican Republic's central bank, Frank Guerrero Pratts, has been appointed foreign minister of the Caribbean nation, according to a report by Associated Press. The previous foreign minister resigned on Wednesday March 26 after…
De La Rue to take over BoE note printing operation
The UK Department of Trade and Industry has cleared bank note printer De La Rue's take over of the Bank of England's banknote printing operation, according to CMP Information.
ECB on reproduction and exchange of euro notes
New rules on the reproduction and exchange of euro banknotes have been issued by the ECB on 25 March 2003.
Norges Bank introduces new anti-counterfeit note
On 25 March, Norges Bank put a new version of the 100-krone note into circulation, designed to safeguard against counterfeiting.
Duisenberg may be asked to stay on at ECB
Wim Duisenberg may be asked to stay on as president of the European Central Bank for a further year to prevent France losing face if a French candidate is not available to take up the job, according to a report by Expatica News.
Iraq cb governor's complaints re Iraqi funds
A report from the BBC claims that Iraqi TV has broadcast an interview with the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Issam Rashid Hwaish, in which he accused the US authorities of "an act of piracy" by seeking to take over Iraqi funds which had already…