News
New Zealand's OCR increased to 6 per cent
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand increased the Official Cash Rate from 5.75 per cent to 6.00 per cent on 29 July.
Brazil ready to take more active inflation stance
Brazil's central bank revealed Thursday 29 July in the minutes of its last Copom monetary policy meeting that it was ready to raise take a "more active" position on price increases if there are signs inflation is rising at too fast a pace to meet its…
McTeer says euro was political not economic idea
Dallas Fed president Robert McTeer told the Latin American meeting of the Econometric Society in Santiago that the euro was a politically motivated project that may slow growth and that it was "never obvious" to him as an ideal currency area.
Turkey's cb chief warns over austerity measures
Turkish central bank chief Sureyya Serdengecti said on Wednesday 28 July that Turkey has to continue the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal under the current circumstances or risked a return to economic instability.
OECD report says ECB should hold rates steady
The European Central Bank (ECB) will probably keep interest rates in the dozen euro nations at their six-decade low for the rest of the year to help an economic recovery still threatened by "large risks," the Organization for Economic Co-operation and…
Poland raises rates for a second month
Poland's central bank raised interest rates for the second month running after the inflation rate rose close to a three-year high.
IMF delays Argentine loan
The International Monetary Fund has delayed approval of a $728 million loan payment to Argentina, forcing the country to draw on central bank reserves to pay back multinational lenders.
Zimbabwe offers investment sweetener
Zimbabwe's central bank announced on Tuesday 27 July a new measure to attract much-needed foreign investment: a guarantee to pay back the entire capital within three months if investors decided to leave.
Bank of England's customer banking strategy review
Following a review of its customer banking activities, the Bank of England said on 27 July that it has concluded that the provision of retail banking activities does not form an integral part of its role as a central bank.
South Africa celebrates democracy with new coin
The South African Reserve Bank said on 27 July it is issuing a special commemorative R2 coin, celebrating 10 years of democracy in South Africa.
SARB to issue bi-metal R5 coin
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) launched a bi-metal R5 coin on 27 July. The new R5 coin will be in circulation from Monday, 2 August 2004. The coin has a bronze-coloured centre and a silver-coloured border.
Future rate level not 'pre-decided' :ECB's Quaden
The European Central Bank probably won't raise interest rates soon as it forecasts that inflation will ease next year, the Financial Times reported, citing ECB governing council member Guy Quaden in an interview.
OECD sees growth threat from eurozone deficits
The OECD warned on Tuesday 27 July in its latest survey of the eurozone that high deficits, such as those faced by France and Germany, are the eurozone's biggest economic problem.
Weber: German economy has 'turned the corner'
The German economy has performed better than expected in the second quarter, with GDP growth estimated at about 0.5 pct from the first quarter, when it grew 0.4 pct from the previous quarter, Bundesbank president Axel Weber said.
US growth to top 4% this year-Kansas Fed's Hoenig
The U.S. economy will most likely grow by more than 4 percent in 2004, stimulated by fiscal and monetary policy and the recovering global climate, Kansas City Federal Reserve President Thomas Hoenig said on Monday 26 July.
Should the Fed adopt IT?
Adopting IT (inflation targeting) is the key policy debate among the US Federal Reserve. The debate has been set alight by Ben Bernanke, a keen inflation targeter, joining the Board of Governors. To understand this key debate, CentralBankNet brings a…
International Journal of Central Banking
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) on Monday 26 July announced plans to support the development of a new publication focused on central bank theory and practice and issued a call for research papers.
Reform of the Bank of England's operations
The Bank of England on 22 July announced the result of its review of its official operations in the sterling money markets. The Bank will initiate a new system based on averaging with voluntary reserves remunerated at the Bank's repo rate.
New security features for euro banknotes planned
A new series of euro banknotes with improved security features to combat forgery will be issued by the end of the decade, the Bundesbank board member responsible for banknotes, Franz-Christoph Zeitler, told Focus magazine.
Stark- EU not ready for single financial regulator
The European Union is not ready for a single financial regulator, according to a newspaper article by Bundesbank Vice President Juergen Stark.
PBOC to ensure 'soft landing'
China's central bank will maintain its cautious stance on further monetary policy moves to ensure that the nation's fast-growing economy enjoys a "soft landing," Monday's China Daily quoted a leading official as saying.
SARB's Mboweni reappointed for new term
Tito Mboweni, the South African Reserve Bank governor, says he will aim for lower inflation during his next term in office. Mboweni's contract was renewed for a further five years by President Thabo Mbeki on Friday 23 July.
Mboweni discusses his future with Mbeki
South African Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni is currently in discussions regarding his future at the SARB, a government spokesman said. Mboweni's current contract is due to expire at the end of next month.
Duisenberg plans visit to Kuala Lumpur
Former European Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg will visit Kuala Lumpur in September to deliver a talk on "The Euro and Asia", to be hosted by ABN AMRO Bank Bhd, the Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC) and the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Bernama…