News
Padoa-Schioppa 'serious' candidate for econ min
Romano Prodi, Italy's election winner, said on Friday 21 April that former European Central Bank board member Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa was a "serious" candidate to become his economy minister, but that nothing had been decided yet.
Can the new Fed keep eyes off rear-view mirror?
According to this article published Thursday 20 April, the minutes from the last FOMC meeting, released on Tuesday 18 April, had something old, something new -- and something borrowed from former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan.
Indian central bank must let housing bubble be
This article published Thursday 20 April asks, is the Reserve Bank of India trying to prick the housing bubble, something that both Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke have shied from doing in the U.S.?
Interactive access to Fed statistical data
The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday 19 April announced its new Data Download application, which provides interactive access to Federal Reserve statistical data in a variety of electronic formats.
Issing: Inflation forecasts may rise with oil
European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing said in an interview that the ECB may have to revise its inflation forecasts upwards after the latest increase in oil prices.
Fed's Fisher says economy in a sweet spot
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Richard Fisher said on Wednesday 20 April that the U.S. economy can cope with a housing slowdown and that the effect of oil prices on inflation had been manageable.
PBOC taking measures to add flexibility
China's central bank is taking measures to increase the flexibility of its exchange rate, an official with the National Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday 20 April.
BoJ's Muto says rate shift depends on data
Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Toshiro Muto said Thursday 20 April that the central bank will decide on when to end its zero rate policy by analysing various economic data.
IMF's Rajan says 10% growth feasible in India
The International Monetary Fund's chief economist said on Wednesday 19 April that India's medium-term goal of growing its economy 10 percent a year is realistic if it can boost infrastructure and job creation.
Portrait of Matti Vanhala unveiled
A portrait of the late Governor of the Bank of Finland was unveiled at the Bank recently.
U.S. may rethink size of IMF stake
According to this article published on Wednesday 19 April, the United States will consider reducing its voting stake in the International Monetary Fund as part of an overhaul that would require the lender to increase scrutiny of nations' currency…
FOMC minutes suggest end to rate rises
According to the minutes of the Federal Reserve's meeting on 27-28 March released on Tuesday 18 April, policy-makers felt that the U.S. central bank was nearly finished raising interest rates, but remained worried about potential inflation risks.
Bernanke sees energy effects fading
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke said in a letter published on Monday 17 April that the increase in energy prices since late 2003 will not have a lasting impact on U.S. inflation as long as the Federal Reserve conducts policy appropriately.
Fed to consolidate payments system committees
The Federal Reserve Board announced on Wednesday 19 April the consolidation of two internal advisory committees on payments system matters.
Bank of England voted 7-1 to hold rates
Minutes released on Wednesday 19 April showed that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted 7 to 1 at its meeting on April 6 to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.5 per cent.
Fed comments and data point to one more increase
According to this article published on Tuesday 18 April, recent comments from Federal Reserve officials and the latest economic data continue to suggest that the cycle of US interest rate increases will come to an end next month.
Italy's Prodi may pick Padoa-Schioppa on economy
Italy's centre-left leader Romano Prodi is expected to pick former European Central Bank board member Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa as economy minister, if Prodi succeeds in forming a government, said La Stampa Saturday in an unsourced report.
ECB to advise GCC states
The European Central Bank will advise Gulf states on their plans for possible monetary union a spokesman for the ECB was quoted by AFX as saying on Tuesday 18 April.
Turkey names new central bank governor
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer approved the government's nominee for central bank governor on Tuesday 18 April after rejecting an earlier candidate, Economy minister Ali Babacan announced.
BoJ minutes show govt urged zero rates
The Bank of Japan was urged by the government to keep interest rates at zero when it ended its ultra-easy monetary policy last month, but the BoJ noted the risks of policy becoming too accommodative, minutes released Friday 14 April showed.
ECB's Issing sees overheating risks
Eurozone housing markets are at risk of overheating and strong money and credit growth is a danger to price stability, European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing said in a newspaper interview.
European Parliament backs Stark nomination for ECB
European Central Bank nominee Juergen Stark said on Tuesday 18 April that the euro zone central bank needs to show ``great vigilance'' in curbing inflation.
China short-term gold additions unlikely - GFMS
The People's Bank of China is very unlikely to increase its gold reserves in the short-term but in the medium- to long-term there is "excellent scope" for gold purchases by the central bank, metals consultancy GFMS said on Wednesday12 April.
PBOC proposes new anti-money laundering rules
The People's Bank of China has proposed new anti-money laundering regulations aimed at the banking, insurance and securities sectors.