News
Greenspan cancels speech with cold
Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was due to make scheduled introductory remarks at a Fed conference in Washington on Friday (26 March) because of a cold, a spokesman said on Friday.
Viyuygin to take up post at Russian regulator
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov on Wednesday (24 March) appointed Oleg Vyugin, deputy chairman of the Russian central bank, as chairman of the national securities market regulator, the government said.
Bank of Israel staff plan strike action
The governor of the Bank of Israel David Klein met Thursday (25 March) with the secretariat of the Histadrut labour federation's bank workers' unit, Zion Shema, in an effort to avert a strike at the central bank.
Bank of England's finest audition as press
Unusual scenes at the UK parlaiment's Treasury select committee Thursday when more women than men turned out for the Bank of England's team for the first time.
Welteke dashes hopes of ECB rate cut
Bundesbank president and European Central Bank (ECB) governing council member Ernst Welteke sought in a TV interview to dampen hopes for an interest rate cut.
Snow says US making progress on China peg
US Treasury Secretary John Snow told Congress on Thursday 25 March that the Bush administration thinks it's making progress in efforts to get China to stop pegging its currency to the U.S. dollar.
Brazil rules out relaxing inflation target
Brazil's central bank president Henrique Meirelles ruled out changing the 5.5 per cent inflation target set for this year, official news agency Agencia Brasil reported.
Chile central bank chief supports growth forecast
Vittorio Corbo, head of the Central Bank of Chile, told business leaders on Thursday 25 March that investment had begun to recover last year after a prolonged slump and the central bank was working hard to get inflation up to around 3 per cent following…
Bundesbank sees profits fall by €5bn
Germany's central bank has said that profits fell by €5bn last year compared to 2002. The drop was partly due to the lower valuation of its equities portfolio and a fall in the value of its dollar-denominated securities holdings.
Norges Bank conference on monetary policy
On Friday 26 March, Norges Bank will hold a conference on monetary policy in conjunction with the publication of Norges Bank's Annual Report for 2003.
Czech NB's Tuma calls for flexibility on euro
The Czech National Bank said on Tuesday 23 March that the European Union should be flexible over euro entry requirements for accession countries.
Quaden says ECB still has ammunition
Belgian ECB governing council member Guy Quaden was quoted on Wednesday 24 March as saying that the ECB's official interest rate of two per cent is "extremely low" but the Bank has some room for manoeuvre if necessary.
Buba against foreign takeovers of German banks
The Bundesbank spoke out against foreign takeovers of the country's biggest banks and said that Germany needs at least one big bank to protect its economic interests, a newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 March.
CBN issues new settlement system guidelines
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released guidelines on the new settlement system for the banking industry, scheduled to commence on the 1st of April.
RBZ declares foreign currency use illegal
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has declared it illegal to use foreign currency to pay for goods and services within the country. The RBZ said the practice contravened the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act.
Bank of England told to freeze HAMAS assets
The Bank of England, as agent for Her Majesty's Treasury, on Wednesday 24 March directed financial institutions that any funds which they hold for or on behalf of the individuals named below must be frozen.
Welteke sees eurozone recovery scenario intact
Bundesbank President and ECB Governing Council member Ernst Welteke said on Wednesday 24 March that the most likely scenario for Germany and the euro area is a moderate and gradual recovery. He also commented on remarks made by Guy Quaden earlier.
Chicago Fed chief: low inflation to keep rates low
Chicago Fed president Michael Moskow saidon Monday 22 March that concerns that inflation will soon accelerate are "premature" and he was optimistic about the economic outlook.
Fukui repeats deflation pledge
Toshihiko Fukui told Japan's parliament on Tuesday 23 March that the BoJ would continue with its ultra-loose monetary policy until deflation disappears completely in Japan.
Broaddus says Fed patience is right
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond president Alfred Broaddus said in an interview that clear evidence of tighter labour markets and higher core inflation will be needed before the Fed can raise interest rates.
IMF approves second Argentine loan review
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday 22 March completed the second review of Argentina's performance under a three-year SDR 8.98 billion (about US$13.3 billion) Stand-By Arrangement.
Ireland's Hurley on ECB interest rates
The Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, John Hurley, has told the Irish Financial Markets Association (FMA) that the ECB is monitoring the interest-rate situation very closely.
Philippines set to boost reserves by US $500m
The Philippines central bank said it intends to increase its dollar reserves before the May 10 presidential election through a new 500 million US dollar borrowing.
ECB loses EUR5.6bn on forex holdings in 2003
The weakness of the dollar has hit the European Central Bank hard in 2003, forcing the bank to declare a loss, and claw back dividend payments from its national central bank shareholders.