News
RBNZ focusing on banking supervision in NZ
Speaking in Wellington, Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor Dr Alan Bollard said "The Reserve Bank is keen to ensure that our regulatory system is invigorated and focused." In a press release Friday the RBNZ signalled its intention to put more effort…
BOJ's Muto cites side effects of JGB buying
In the text of a speech published on Friday 25 July, Bank of Japan deputy governor Toshiro Muto said "Buying of 1.2 trillion yen a month represents a significantly high pace", according to a Reuters report. He suggested the policy had had some negative…
Former BIS head Crockett joins JP Morgan
Sir Andrew Crockett is to join JP Morgan Chase International as an international ambassador, The Times reports. Crockett was one of the favourites to take over at the Bank of England after leaving the BIS earlier this year. The post, based in New York,…
South Korea central bank sees economic recovery
Governor Park Seung of the Bank of Korea said on Friday 25 July, according to Reuters, that the economy could enter a recovery phase in the final quarter of this year but for the present, "our economy is in a very difficult spot", he added.
Germany's deficit shouldn't widen - Remsperger
The Bundesbank's chief economist Herman Remsperger has urged fiscal restraint and welfare reform, according to Bloomberg, saying "Borrowing to cover today's spending will worsen finances for future generations".
MNB vice president Auth warns against wage index
Inflationary pressures could build up in the Hungarian economy if next year's wage rises are linked to planned tax changes, warned the vice president of the national bank of Hungary Henrik Auth in an interview with Reuters.
Fed can keep rates low as growth quickens - McTeer
In a speech to the Dallas Rotary Club, Reuters reports that Dallas Fed President Bob McTeer expressed optimism the economy would soon revive, even as he admitted a lack of "hard evidence" of a pickup.
Court summons Bank of Tanzania governor personally
The governor of the central bank of Tanzania, Daudi Balali, was due to appear in person at the High Court, Dar es Salaam on Friday 25 July, according to all Africa News. The civil case refers to an agreement signed on 25th April 1985 between the…
Polish Fin Min wants c bank help on foreign debt
Poland's finance ministry is seeking funds from the national bank at a preferential rate to use to repay part of Poland's foreign debt, so-called Brady bonds, according to Polish News Bulletin. Leszek Balcerowicz, president of the NBP, did not comment on…
EU needs a more 'intelligent' pact - Pascal Lamy
Speaking during a visit to China EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said the EU's Stability and Growth Pact needs to be "modernised and whipped into shape" and needs to be a more "intelligent" pact, according to EU Observer.
Reappointments to the RBA's Payments System Board
Australian Treasurer Peter Costello announced the reappointment of three members to the Reserve Bank of Australia's Payments System Board (PSB), 24 July.
RBNZ reduces OCR to 5.0 per cent
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand knocked a quarter percent off its main OCR interest rate Thursday. Governor Alan Bollard said on balance a further reduction seems appropriate today, with evidence continuing to suggest slowing economic activity.
Economy minister may take over at Peru c bank
Peru's president Alejandro Toledo may be planning further changes to his cabinet with Economy and Finance Minister Javier Silva touted as a replacement to Richard Webb at the central bank, Bloomberg reports.
ECB's Issing - No risk of inflation or deflation
Neither deflation nor inflation present risks for the eurozone economy at the moment. That was the assessment of Otmar Issing on Wednesday 23 July, according to Reuters, but if deflationary concerns emerge the ECB is ready to take various preventive…
Dinkic bids farewell
Speaking at a press conference to mark the end of his term as governor of the National Bank of Serbia Mladjan Dinkic urged the government and prime minister against interfering in monetary politics and commenting publicly on the state of the dinar,…
Governor of Bulgaria's central bank elected Sept
Latest estimates suggest Bulgaria will elect a new central bank governor in September, says Novinite. The farce which has dragged on for weeks looks set for completion then, Stanimir Ilchev, floor leader of the ruling Simeon II National Movement, said on…
Brazil c bank staff strike, trading system crashes
A strike on Wednesday 23 July saw workers stay away from the central bank of Brazil as employees protested at planned cuts to pension benefits, according to a Bloomberg report. In what was described as an unrelated event, the computer system for bond and…
China claims success on currency front
The People's Bank of China has said upward pressure on its currency is being reduced with the help of regular open market offerings of central bank bills, according to the Financial Times. "We will persist with the central bank bills for some time to…
Bernanke: Fed could cut rates to zero
In his speech to a University audience on Wednesday 23 July, Reuters reports that Ben Bernanke declared that the Federal Reserve was ready to keep short-term interest rates low indefinitely - even cutting them to zero - to jumpstart the economy and ward…
Malta central bank signs employees agreement
A collective agreement signed on Tuesday 22 July by the Central Bank of Malta provides for improved salaries, better conditions of work and various important changes, according to Malta Media. This is expected to lead to greater efficiency within the…
Thailand's central bank loosens currency controls
Due to an excess of savings, Thailand's central bank will allow local financial institutions to invest up to 500 million dollars abroad, deputy governor Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala said on Wednesday 23 July, according to a report by Agence France-Presse.
Bank of England MPC Minutes 9/10 July 2003
Minutes of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee Meeting were released on 23 July for the meeting of 9 and 10 July 2003. The MPC acknowledged that it now seemed likely that UK growth in 2003 Q2 had been weaker than the Committee had assumed in…
MPC's Lomax was only dissenter in UK rates cut
The Bank of England's nine member Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 for a cut in interest rates at their July meeting, minutes showed on Wednesday 23 July. The Financial Times reported that Rachel Lomax, the new deputy governor, attending her first…
RBI asks Indian banks to be ready with RTGS
A meeting held at the Reserve Bank of India urged banks to be ready for the introduction of India's Real Time Gross Settlement, which is expected to begin simulated tests before the year end, according to a report by The Hindu. Deputy governor Vepa…