News
Fed raises rates, maintains 'measured' pace
The Federal Open Market Committee decided on Tuesday 1 November to raise its target for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4 percent. In its statement the FOMC kept its 'measured' stance for removing policy accommodation and warned that energy…
BCCI liquidators drop 'hopeless' court case
The case brought by the liquidators of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International against the Bank of England and 22 of its present and former staff collapsed on Wednesday 2 November when all the allegations were unconditionally withdrawn at the High…
Norges Bank increases interest rates by 0.25%
Norges Bank's Executive Board decided on Wednesday 2 November to raise the sight deposit rate by 0.25 percentage point to 2.25 per cent with effect from 3 November. Output growth is high and may in isolation suggest a more rapid increase in the interest…
IMF wants more accountable Bank of Italy
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday 2 November that the Italian government should toughen up a draft reform of the Bank of Italy to make the central bank more transparent and accountable.
SNB maintains policy of 'correcting' rates
Switzerland's central bank will stick to its goal of "correcting" the country's main interest rate to keep inflation from accelerating, Swiss National Bank President Jean-Pierre Roth said Wednesday 2 November.
Japan's Yosano says stable long-term rate critical
Kaoru Yosano, Japan's newly appointed state minister for economic and fiscal policy, said that keeping long-term interest rates stable at low levels is vital to the success of fiscal and budget reforms.
PBOC to expand yuan settlement operations in HK
China's central bank will allow expanded yuan-denominated business in Hong Kong after technical preparations are completed, the People's Bank of China said on Tuesday 1 November.
'We will act' on inflation if needed says Trichet
The European Central Bank sees clear signs that inflation will rise in Europe, president Jean-Claude Trichet told Euro am Sonntag.
SADC economic integration timetable questioned
Southern Africa will be unable to realize its economic integration plans by 2012 if the current pace of implementation is not increased, a senior South African official warned on Monday 31 October.
Fed expected to raise rates again
The Federal Reserve was widely expected to raise US interest rates on Tuesday 1 November, as the American economy continues strong growth.
Russia, China set to sign banking agreement
The Russian central bank and the Chinese Banking Regulatory Commission are expected to sign an agreement during the visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov to China on 3-4 November.
Venezuela's Chavez plans $5 bn reserves spend
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in a TV broadcast that he plans to take an additional $5 billion in reserves from the central bank next year in order to boost spending on various projects.
PBOC issues new rules on electronic payments
The People's Bank of China has issued new rules regarding electronic payments designed to minimize transaction risk.
Bank of Japan says end of deflation in sight
The Bank of Japan said on Monday 31 October that the seven-year period of deflation will end in the year to March 2006.
China forex reserves expected to hit $820 bn
China's foreign exchange reserves are expected to total $820 billion by the end of 2005 on strong trade inflows, an economist at a government think tank said.
Bank of Israel lowers pay for new workers
The Bank of Israel will pay new workers 30 per cent less than current employees, under an agreement reached between the central bank, its workers union and the Finance Ministry.
Brazil central bank workers end month long strike
Brazil's central bank employees resumed work this week after a one month strike which delayed the release of important macroeconomic data.
Iceland's Oddsson waives pension rights
David Oddsson, former prime minister and new governor of the Central Bank of Iceland, has declined to take up a retirement pension for his 13 years as prime minister and one year as foreign minister.
Interview with PBOC's Xiang Junbo
In a recent interview People's Bank of China deputy governor, Xiang Junbo, said the central bank has been undergoing institutional changes. The establishment of the PBOC Shanghai Head Office is an important step to improve the central bank system and to…
Bernanke steps into Greenspan's shoes
Although Ben Bernanke was nominated as Fed chairman this week, he has shown in the past that he isn't a fan of the conservative dress code favoured by central bankers. Bernanke surprised George W Bush by wearing a pair of tan socks with a dark suit to a…
Central bankers welcome Fed nominee
Following Ben Bernanke's nomination to succeed Alan Greenspan as chairman of the Federal Reserve, central bankers were out in force this week to welcome the move.
Interview with RBI governor YV Reddy
In an interview published on Wednesday 26 October, Reserve Bank of India governor Yaga Venugopal Reddy said baby steps are the fashion of the day. Nowadays, in monetary policy, no one takes big steps.
Interview with Ben Bernanke
In an interview published on Tuesday 25 October, but conducted before his nomination to the Fed, Ben Bernanke said that there was so far little reason to fear that the sharp rise in energy prices would feed through into wider inflation.
Serdengecti: Hot money flows no threat to Turkey
Turkey's central bank governor is "not scared" of hot money flows to the country, the governor of the central bank, Sureyya Serdengecti said in London on Thursday 27 October.