News
Latvia sees problems meeting euro criteria by 2008
Latvia's central bank governor has said the Baltic state is unlikely to meet all the EU's economic convergence criteria for adopting the euro in 2008.
Fed says foreign central banks boost debt holdings
Federal Reserve data released on Thursday 19 January showed foreign central banks were net buyers of US debt in the latest week, with purchases of agency securities slightly exceeding a decline in Treasury holdings.
Thailand to host ACD forum in April
The Asian Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) forum will take place in Bangkok from 30 April-1 May.
G30 calls for more regulation of reinsurers
Coordinated international regulation of the reinsurance industry is needed despite the fact that the industry poses few risks to the financial system. This was the message of a report by the Group of 30 (G30) launched on Monday 23 January at the Bank of…
Fed's Poole: Rate rise forecast 'sensible'
St. Louis Fed President William Poole said in an interview published on Monday 23 January that inflation is less worrying now but one or more interest-rate hikes by the Fed could be considered a "sensible forecast".
Paper says freer yuan would help monetary policy
The People's Bank of China would gain greater control over the country's money supply if it allowed more flexibility for the yuan, a semi-official think-tank said in a report published Monday 23 January.
Iran confirms reserves transfer
The head of the Central Bank of Iran has indicated that Tehran has already started shifting its foreign hard currency reserves amid the threat of sanctions, Iranian media reported on Friday 20 January .
Fukui upbeat on economic recovery
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui increased expectations on Friday 20 January that the central bank could end its ultra-loose monetary policy soon, saying that his opinion on a policy shift had moved forward since December.
IMF's Rajan sees a very promising 2006
The International Monetary Fund's Chief Economist on Friday 20 January predicted better global economic growth in 2006 but warned the European Central Bank against raising interest rates too quickly.
Yellen says Fed shouldn't target bubbles
It should not be the Federal Reserve's role to directly target its policies at bursting possible asset bubbles, San Francisco Fed president Janet Yellen said on Thursday 19 January.
Lacker sees continued clarity move for Fed
Richmond Fed president Jeffrey Lacker said Friday 20 January that Fed chairman-nominee Ben Bernanke will maintain the shift toward greater policy transparency.
IMF repayment hits Brazil's reserves
Brazil's international reserves stood at US$ 53.8 billion at year-end 2005, down US$ 10.5 billion from November, the central bank said.
RBI group to advise on accounting issues
The Reserve Bank of India plans to establish a small group comprising representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the central bank to discuss matters relating to audit and accounting standards.
ECB's Issing sees no let up in euro zone growth
European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing told a conference on Wednesday 18 January that there are no signs that euro zone growth is slowing.
Bini Smaghi says rate to rise if justified by data
European Central Bank board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi said on Wednesday 18 January that the ECB will raise its interest rates if new economic data justifies this move.
Bangladesh, Vietnam to sign cb agreement
Dhaka and Hanoi are expected to sign an agreement on cooperation between their central banks during the first meeting of the Bangladesh-Vietnam Joint Economic Commission, scheduled for 6-7 February in Hanoi.
SNB's Roth says price stability not in danger
The chairman of the Swiss National Bank, Jean-Pierre Roth, said on Wednesday 18 January that there are no signs that suggest price stability is in danger in the near term.
Policy shift will be 'headache' says Watanabe
Coping with higher interest rates will pose a "headache" for the Japanese economy, and the central bank is considering how to limit the impact on bonds, according to Hiroshi Watanabe, Japan's vice finance minister for international affairs, who was…
Nigeria's Soludo to speak on global economy
The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, will speak on the global economy on January 24, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Japan's Tanigaki: Central bank and govt must unite
Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki on Tuesday 17 January called for the government and Bank of Japan to put on a united front over monetary policy to avoid worrying investors.
Bernanke to testify on Fed policy mid Feb
Federal Reserve Chairman-nominee Ben Bernanke is likely to visit Capitol Hill in mid-February to deliver the Fed's semiannual monetary policy report.
RBNZ releases outsourcing policy for banks
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand on Wednesday published its finalised policy on the requirements which will apply to large New Zealand banks that have entered into outsourcing arrangements.
ECB's Tumpel-Gugerell optimistic on growth
European Central Bank executive board member Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell said on Tuesday 17 January prospects for economic growth across the eurozone are improving.
Tokyo SE halts trading as system folds
The reputation of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the world's second largest by market capitalisation after New York, took a dent on Wednesday 18 January when it was forced to close 20 minutes early because its trading system was on the verge of collapsing.