News
BoE voted 8-1 to hold rates
The Bank of England's policy-making Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 to keep UK interest rates unchanged this month, with Stephen Nickell again as the sole member calling for a reduction.
Fed can't rule out more rate rises
Minutes from the Federal Reserve's 31 January FOMC meeting released on Tuesday 21 February showed Fed officials felt a 14th straight increase in interest rates last month put borrowing costs near where they needed to be, but they could not rule out more…
Roger Ferguson resigns from Fed Board
In a surprise move, Roger Ferguson, Jr. submitted his resignationon Wednesday 22 February as Vice Chairman and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, effective April 28, 2006.
Bank of Korea chief to visit Japan
The governor of South Korea's central bank will visit Japan this week on a three-day trip to sign a cooperation agreement with the Bank of Japan.
Nigeria introduces new Forex system
Nigeria introduced the new wholesale Dutch Auction System (DAS) of foreign exchange allocation on Monday 20 February to replace the old retail DAS in a bid to further liberalise the country's Forex system.
Solomon Islands to repay central bank debt
The Solomon Islands government has signed a deal that will restructure and repay a part of its $US30 million debt with the country's central bank.
Dallas Fed's Fisher says Fed wary of energy prices
Dallas Federal Reserve President Richard Fisher said on Tuesday 21 February the U.S. economy was currently "very strong" and energy prices would be monitored by the Fed in weighing future policy.
BoJ to make 'appropriate' decision on policy shift
Bank of Japan deputy governor Toshiro Muto said Tuesday 21 February the central bank will make an "appropriate" decision on when to end its ultra-loose monetary policy.
Buba worried re cash supply after Heros insolvency
The Bundesbank has called on local branches to lengthen their operating hours after a money-transport company which accounts for around 50 per cent of the German money transport sector filed for insolvency.
OECD's Cotis worried over Europe's growth prospect
OECD Chief Economist Jean-Philippe Cotis said on Tuesday 21 February that European economic growth has been slowed by poor fiscal policies and weak channels of transmission for monetary policy.
Trichet calls Stark a 'remarkable person'
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet described Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark as a remarkable candidate for the ECB's Executive Board on Monday 20 February .
ECB's Wellink sees 2% eurozone growth
Dutch central bank governor Nout Wellink told an audience in Toronto Monday that he was "mildly optimistic" for Europe's future and saw growth in the euro area in the next two years of about 2 per cent.
PBOC vows to maintain a prudent monetary policy
The People's Bank of China vowed on Tuesday 21 February to continue perfecting the managed float of the yuan and to introduce new financial products to help firms hedge new-found currency risk.
Hong Kong may build gold warehouse for China
Hong Kong may soon build a bonded warehouse at its airport to store gold and make the Chinese territory a regional trading hub while feeding rising demand from mainland China, industry officials were quoted as saying on Tuesday 21 February.
New Zealand's new coins introduced on 31 July
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced on Monday 20 February that New Zealand's new 50, 20 and 10 cent coins will be introduced on 31 July 2006.
Garganas says eurozone inflation risks increased
Greek central bank governor Nicholas Garganas said on Friday 17 February that since December's hike in eurozone interest rates, inflation pressures have increased, partly due to rising oil prices.
PBOC says China needs market system for currency
A People's Bank of China vice-governor said the correct value of the Chinese currency will not be determined until Beijing builds a system capable of fully reflecting supply and demand for the currency, Caijing magazine reported.
Buba's Weber says inflation risks remain
Bundesbank president Axel Weber told a conference on Monday 20 February that inflation risks still exist in the eurozone and a forward-looking monetary policy is needed to counter these risks at an early stage.
Chavez demands more BCV reserves
President Hugo Chavez' government has asked the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV) for a new transfer of surplus official reserves to the executive branch.
Trichet sees strengthening eurozone economy
European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said on Monday 20 February he sees economic activity in the eurozone strengthening. He warned, however, that risks to price stability have increased.
Fed's Pianalto says growth, stability go together
Cleveland Fed president Sandra Pianalto said Thursday 16 February that the Federal Reserve's twin objectives of price stability and growth go hand in hand.
Senate panel approves Kroszner, Warsh to Fed
The Senate Banking Committee on Thursday 16 February approved the nominations of Randall Kroszner and Kevin Warsh to be members of the Federal Reserve's board of governors.
Bundesbank gold sale rule change dropped
The German government and the Bundesbank have agreed to end a long-running squabble over the use of Germany's gold reserves, the finance ministry announced.
Riksbank appoints new director of communications
At its meeting Friday 17 February, the Executive Board of the Riksbank appointed Pernilla Meyersson new Director of Communications.