News
Fed minutes reveal worries over inflation, housing
The minutes of the latest monetary policy meeting of the Federal Reserve contained few surprises, but underlined the fact that policymakers remained concerned about an "upward drift in inflation expectations".
Draghi keen on governance reforms for banks
The governor of the Bank of Italy, Mario Draghi, told the central bank's shareholder at the conclusion of its annual meeting that he backs Italian lawmakers' current effort to reform the governance arrangement for the country's cooperative commercial…
Governor's deciding vote sees Czech rates up
The Czech Central Bank raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 2.75% on 31 May. The central bank's board was split, with three members voting for the hike and three for leaving rates unchanged. It then fell to governor, Zdenik Tma, to…
Nishimura sees third quarter inflation rise
Kiyohiko Nishimura, a board member of the Bank of Japan, says inflation is likely to rise in October this year.
Canadian growth beats central bank forecast
The growth of the Canadian economy during the first quarter of this year was stronger than the central bank expected official statistic released on 31 May revealed. The upside shock appears to have sealed the case for rate hikes later this year.
Inflation breaches SARB's target
South Africa's targeted CPIX inflation has breached the South African Reserve Bank's 3% to 6% inflation target for the first time since August 2003.
Zoellick to replace Wolfowitz at World Bank
American president George W. Bush has named Robert Zoellick, a former US trade representative, as a replacement for Paul Wolfowitz as president of the World Bank.
Johnson leaves the Fed
Karen Johnson, director of the Division of International Finance at the Federal Reserve Board, will step down after nearly a decade in this position.
Euro lending and money growth slows
The European Central Bank's current tightening cycle appears to be starting to make its mark. Mortgage lending growth in the eurozone has slowed to the lowest for more than three years.
Rates up in Norway and Malta, Poland steady
The central banks of Norway and Malta raised interest rates on 30 May, while rates remained unchanged in Poland.
India's Reddy seeks lower inflation
Reserve Bank of India governor Y.V. Reddy says curbing inflation while managing the transition to a higher-growth path was the central bank's "overarching policy challenge."
RBNZ's Bollard gets second term
New Zealand's finance minister, Michael Cullen, reappointed Alan Bollard for a second five-year term, the Reserve Bank announced.
South Africa's Mboweni outlines inflation threats
Tito Mboweni, the governor of the South African Reserve Bank, has identified union-driven salary disputes and increasing food and oil prices as the main threats to the current inflation outlook in the country.
Rates on hold in Canada, Slovakia and Malaysia
A number of central banks have announced this week that interest rates will remain unchanged. Rates will remain on hold in Canada, Slovakia and Malaysia.
Israeli rates cut again
The Bank of Israel has cut interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.5%. The decision, announced on 28 May, comes as inflation remains below the central bank's 1 to 3% inflation target.
New names for WB presidency
Some interesting names are being bandied about as potential replacements for Paul Wolfowitz as president of the World Bank, when he steps down next month.
Turkey's Yilmaz issues inflation warning
Inflation is expected to exceed the 4% target set by the government for the end of the year, Durmus Yilmaz, the governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, has told the country's cabinet.
Eurozone business confidence dips
Analysts are suggesting that business confidence in the euro area may have peaked. The May figure for the widely-watched Ifo index was unchanged from a month earlier for Germany, but somewhat lower for France and Italy.
FSA issues hedge fund guidelines
In the latest development surrounding the regulation of hedge funds, the British Financial Services Authority (FSA) has issued guidelines clarifying its approach in four important areas of hedge fund regulation.
Japanese consumers to keep economy floating
The International Monetary Fund predicts an economic expansion in Japan of 2.3% this year, followed by 1.9% in 2008.
Shareholders call for investigation on ABN Amro
A Dutch shareholders association has asked the European Internal Market Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, to investigate the Dutch central bank's recent actions in the ongoing takeover battle for ABN Amro.
World on the brink of higher inflation - OECD
Citing strong domestic demand as the main factor driving prices upward, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says central banks should "err on the side of tightness" in the face of inflationary pressure.
Germany defends ECB focus on money growth
Germany's Bundesbank has come out in stout defence of the European Central Bank, arguing that money supply figures - used by the ECB in making interest rate decisions - are helpful in identifying property market distortions.
Uncertainty surrounds Gulf monetary union
In the last week Kuwait and Oman have opted expand the range of currencies they peg their exchange rates to. These developments cast doubts over the gulf region's ability to meet its 2010 deadline for a monetary union.