News
ECB's Caruana expects moderate rate rise
European Central Bank Governing Council Member Jaime Caruana echoed comments from some other ECB officials on Thursday 24 November when he said he expects a "moderate" rise in eurozone interest rates.
EU plans Bank of Italy legal action
The European Commission will begin legal action against the Bank of Italy next month over its handling of recent bank mergers involving foreign bids, Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said on Thursday 24 November.
Bank of England voted 9-0 to hold rates
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously for a third month in November to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged, according to minutes released on Wednesday 23 November.
US rate outlook may change `before long'
Federal Reserve policy makers discussed the need ``before long'' to alter their outlook for U.S. interest rates, with some FOMC members concerned about the risk of raising it too much, minutes of their 1 November meeting showed.
Forex pegging may be counterproductive says Dodge
Bank of Canada Governor David Dodge said in previously private remarks to the Bank of France on November 4 that pegging a country's foreign exchange rate could hinder macroeconomic adjustment.
BoE's Barker sees improved consumer spending
Consumer spending should improve by the middle of 2006, Bank of England policymaker Kate Barker said on Tuesday 22 November.
China could use more yuan flexibility says IMF
The International Monetary Fund urged China to follow up the July reforms to its currency regime on Monday 21 November by allowing market forces to exert more influence on the value of the yuan.
Fukui says BOJ will decide policy shift alone
The Bank of Japan will take full responsibility in deciding when to end its ultra-easy monetary policy, while maintaining close contact with the government, BOJ Governor Toshihiko Fukui was quoted as saying on Wednesday 23 November.
Gonzalez Paramo calms mood after Trichet comments
European Central Bank board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez Paramo has sought to play down Jean-Claude Trichet's recent comments that an increase in Eurozone interest rates could come at its next meeting on 1 December.
Belgium's Quaden cautious on rates
Belgian National Bank governor Guy Quaden said that the economic situation in the eurozone is different from that of the US which has seen a lengthy series of interest rate increases.
Buba says Merkel's budget may be unconstitutional
Angela Merkel, who was sworn in as German Chancellor on Tuesday 22 November, plans to ignore constitutional rules in running up record borrowing next year, the Bundesbank said in its November monthly report.
NZ's Bollard prioritises slowing demand
Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Alan Bollard said in a report published on Tuesday22 November that slowing the pace of domestic demand is a `priority' and another interest-rate increase cannot be ruled out.
Russia's central bank should boost gold - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia's central bank should pay more attention to gold in its international reserves.
Britain probably better off in euro says Trichet
Speaking at a conference in Berlin on Saturday 19 November, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said Britain would probably be even better off if it joined the euro.
Poole sees further Fed tightening if needed
A top Fed policy-maker said on Thursday 17 November that core US inflation and inflation expectations have weathered high energy prices and if necessary, the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to make sure this remains.
EU: Hungary may still join euro by 2010
Hungary can still make its 2010 target date to join the euro currency if it takes tough action to manage its economy over the next three years, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Friday 18 November.
China's PBOC to control short-term foreign debt
Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People's Bank of China has said China will keep controls on short-term foreign borrowings and limit speculative activity even after it liberalises the capital account.
Blinder says no news is good news on Bernanke
In a comment piece published by the New York Times on Sunday 20 November, Alan Blinder suggests the national news media seem to find monetary policy less engaging than they did in 1979 or 1987.
New Crisis Management section on RBNZ's website
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand introduced a new section to its website on Friday entitled Crisis Management.
SNB governor visits Sweden's Riksbank
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank, Jean-Pierre Roth, was due to visit the Swedish Riksbank on 17 and 18 November.
Rato promotes central bank communication
IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato told a European Banking Congress in Frankfurt on Friday 18 November that central banks should communicate their monetary policy plans clearly to avoid disruptive shocks to financial markets.
Weber calls on China to exploit yuan flexibility
European Central Bank Governing Council member Axel Weber said in an interview on Friday 18 November that China should use the extra flexibility that July's currency liberalisation provided.
Fukui doesn't rule out inflation target
Bank of Japan Governor Toshihiko Fukui said Friday that the possibility of Japan adopting an explicit inflation target as a monetary policy tool cannot be ruled out.
King sees no bloc vote on MPC
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee members do not vote as a bloc on interest rates, Bank of England Governor Mervyn King said on Thursday 17 November.