News
Counterfeit bank notes on rise in Korea 1st half
SOUTH KOREA - The number of attempts to use forged bank notes increased considerably in the first half of the year, as counterfeiters have easier access to computer scanners and colour photocopiers.
UK money laundering assistance 'slow'
UK - Britain is taking up to two years to respond to requests from overseas law enforcement agencies for assistance in money laundering investigations, according to the City of London's most senior official.
Ukraine to issue more money
UKRAINE - Ukraine's government, faced with a spiralling budget deficit despite strong economic growth, has convinced the central bank to issue more than half a billion dollars worth of extra cash.
Polish e-signature centre may break EU law
POLAND - The privileged position of Centrast accreditation centre and the high fees that the subsidiary of the central bank plans to charge may be against the rules set forth in an EU directive on the e-signature, released in 1999.
Belarus reports notable rise in for ex reserves
BELARUS - The Belarusian central bank's net foreign exchange reserves rose by 48.5m dollars since the beginning of the year to 252.9m, Pyotr Prakapovich, head of the National Bank of Belarus (NBB), told reporters in Minsk on 7 August.
Iraqi central bank governor plans new note issue
IRAQ - The Iraqi News Agency asked Iraqi Central Bank (ICB) Governor Dr Issam Rashid Huwaysh several questions on the ICB's measures to minimize the problems citizens experience from the scarcity and destruction of banknotes which impedes the circulation…
IMF News Brief
NEWS BRIEF - IMF Managing Director Kohler Confirms Agreement with Brazil, 7 August.
ECB grows more cautious on growth outlook
GERMANY - A shift of stance on inflationary pressures by the European Central Bank on Thursday reflected growing pessimism on the outlook for economic growth in the eurozone.
Brazil set for "largest ever" IMF loan of $30bn
BRAZIL - The International Monetary Fund has agreed to lend Brazil an extra $30bn (£20bn), hoping that this will help pull the country and the region out of crisis. The deal represents the largest loan the IMF has ever provided in its history.
Central bank relaxes bank suspensions - Uruguay
URUGUAY - Uruguay's central bank has authorized suspended banks to partially resume operations, Uruguayan daily El Pais reported.
Theft from Nigerian central bank van denied
NIGERIA - A middle-aged man, Mustapha Abubakar, has appeared before an Upper Sharia Court, Sokoto for allegedly removing bank notes from a Central Bank of Nigeria armoured van. However, in his defence the man said in court he was inside the van only to…
ECB call for papers
PRESS RELEASE - Call for papers for a volume on Foreign reserves risk management to be submitted by 15 February 2003.
Norges Bank keeps interest rates unchanged
PRESS RELEASE - Interest rates were left unchanged at Norges Bank's Executive Board meeting on 7 August 2002.
Australia leaves rates steady
AUSTRALIA - Australia's central bank left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, amid global volatility on the financial markets and warning signs about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.
Norges Bank's press conference, 7 August
PRESS CONFERENCE - Monetary policy meeting of Norges Bank's Executive Board, 7 August.
Sveriges Riksbank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Stable Swedish financial sector according to the IMF, 7 August.
Defending the I.M.F.
NEWS BRIEF - A Letter to the Editor of The New Yorker By Graham Hacche, Deputy Director, External Relations Department, International Monetary Fund, 5 August.
Rogoff Critique Should be No Surprise
NEWS RELEASE - A Letter to the Editor, By Graham Hacche, Deputy Director, External Relations Department, International Monetary Fund, Submitted to The Times but not published, 9 July.
No interest rate change in Norway
NORWAY - Norway's central bank kept key interest rates on hold on Wednesday, as expected by analysts, with inflationary pressures in Norway's oil-backed economy offset by an international slowdown.
Russians stuff $80 billion under mattresses
RUSSIA - Russians have nearly $80 billion "stuffed under mattresses" - more cash than in US circulation - which is now trickling into stocks amid improved trust in corporate governance, Russia's securities watchdog chief said on Tuesday.
Knighthood for Fed's Greenspan
US - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will receive an honorary knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. The honour recognises his "contribution global economic stability," the UK government said in announcing the knighthood.
Nigerian c bank tighten licensing law of new banks
NIGERIA - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have soft-pedalled on the licensing of new banks which was put on hold almost three months ago.
Egypt central bank reports fall in bank liquidity
EGYPT - The central bank has revealed a continued downturn in commercial banks' performance over the past period. Rates of capital efficiency and of net profits and incomes have gone down. Also, the banks' liquidity crunch has worsened due to a decline…
'Fingerprint' card system test in Malaysia
MALAYSIA - MasterCard International is testing an antifraud system meant to detect counterfeit payment cards by reading the properties and orientation of the microscopic particles in a magnetic stripe.