News
Surprise rise for UK inflation seen
UK - UK inflation has risen higher than expected, casting doubt on the need for another interest rate cut.
Crunch time for US economy as Fed ponder rate move
US - An indicator of US economic health will come today, as the Federal Reserve is due to announce its latest monthly interest rate decision.
Bank of Japan Monetary Policy Meeting
PRESS RELEASE - Monetary Policy Decision from the Bank of Japan, 9 August. The Bank unanimously decided to maintain its current stance but was ready to react with increased liquidity if the stability of financial markets was at risk.
MAS Press Briefing on Annual Report release
PRESS BRIEFING - Press Briefing for Monetary Authority of Singapore Annual Report 2001-2002. Opening remarks by Mr Koh Yong Guan, Managing Director, MAS, 2 August.
Jamaican central banker honoured
JAMAICA - Central bank governor Derick Latibeaudiere has been awarded the Order of Jamaica for his "significant contribution to central banking and finance".
Bahrain starts Islamic financial market
BAHRAIN - An international Islamic financial market dealing in products that comply with Sharia law has been set-up in Bahrain, the Gulf's regional financial and banking hub.
Japan's central bank ignores IMF plea on deflation
JAPAN - The Bank of Japan ignored a call from the International Monetary Fund to act against deflation plaguing the nation's economy on Friday, keeping its ultra-loose monetary policy unchanged.
Kuwait reports use of bank notes decreasing
ARTICLE - Over the past few years the demand for charge cards provided by Kuwaiti banks has increased, and has coincided with an enhancement of knowledge surrounding " plastic money", in an attempt to convert Kuwait into a society that depends largely on…
Bank of Spain to close 30 branches
SPAIN - On 8 August unions and management of the Bank of Spain agreed to close 30 of the central bank's branches, and not 31 as previously planned.
Thailand's central bank in upbeat mood on economy
THAILAND - The Bank of Thailand is confident that deflation will not be an immediate concern. M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, the central bank governor, said the prevailing exchange rate of about 42.5 baht to the US dollar would not trigger inflation either.
Issing sees slow US growth rather than double dip
GERMANY - European Central Bank chief economist Otmar Issing was quoted on Monday as saying a "double dip" in the U.S. economy could not be ruled out but that continued slow growth was more likely.
RBA report says rates may rise again
AUSTRALIA - The Reserve Bank of Australia expressed confidence on Monday that recent market volatility would have only a minor effect on the world economy and signalled it stands ready to raise interest rates again once current uncertainty passes.
Euro banknotes fail test of time
GERMANY - Germans were among the swiftest of Europeans to detect that the euro was dangerous to their wealth. Now it seems the replacement to the mighty mark just does not cut it in the rough and tumble of everyday life.
IMF News Brief
NEWS BRIEF - IMF Completes First Review and Approves New Increase on Uruguay Stand-By, 8 August.
IMF Public Information Notice
NOTICE - IMF Advances Efforts to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Finance, 8 August.
New central bank governor appointed Mauritania
MAURITANIA - The Presidency of the Republic issued the following two statements yesterday:
Japan central bank keeps monetary policy unchanged
JAPAN - Japan's central bank left its monetary policy unchanged Friday amid hopes that an economic recovery is taking hold after a long slump.
Namibian c bank chief 'was not aware of gem link'
NAMIBIA - The Governor of the Bank of Namibia, the country's central bank, says he was made a director of a diamond company without his knowledge, a Namibian news website reported.
Central Bank of Russia to offer $13,000 gold coins
RUSSIA - New Russians, extravagant businessmen famed for their love of gold and deep pockets, might now have to start thinking about getting wide ones too, reports Reuters on Friday.
US regulators extend comment period for card rules
US - Regulators have extended the comment period on their draft guidance aimed at improving banks' credit card lending policies to 23 September and said they will soon issue further statements on the guidance.
Counterfeit bank notes on rise in Korea 1st half
SOUTH KOREA - The number of attempts to use forged bank notes increased considerably in the first half of the year, as counterfeiters have easier access to computer scanners and colour photocopiers.
UK money laundering assistance 'slow'
UK - Britain is taking up to two years to respond to requests from overseas law enforcement agencies for assistance in money laundering investigations, according to the City of London's most senior official.
Ukraine to issue more money
UKRAINE - Ukraine's government, faced with a spiralling budget deficit despite strong economic growth, has convinced the central bank to issue more than half a billion dollars worth of extra cash.
Polish e-signature centre may break EU law
POLAND - The privileged position of Centrast accreditation centre and the high fees that the subsidiary of the central bank plans to charge may be against the rules set forth in an EU directive on the e-signature, released in 1999.