News
Belarus reports notable rise in for ex reserves
BELARUS - The Belarusian central bank's net foreign exchange reserves rose by 48.5m dollars since the beginning of the year to 252.9m, Pyotr Prakapovich, head of the National Bank of Belarus (NBB), told reporters in Minsk on 7 August.
Iraqi central bank governor plans new note issue
IRAQ - The Iraqi News Agency asked Iraqi Central Bank (ICB) Governor Dr Issam Rashid Huwaysh several questions on the ICB's measures to minimize the problems citizens experience from the scarcity and destruction of banknotes which impedes the circulation…
IMF News Brief
NEWS BRIEF - IMF Managing Director Kohler Confirms Agreement with Brazil, 7 August.
ECB grows more cautious on growth outlook
GERMANY - A shift of stance on inflationary pressures by the European Central Bank on Thursday reflected growing pessimism on the outlook for economic growth in the eurozone.
Brazil set for "largest ever" IMF loan of $30bn
BRAZIL - The International Monetary Fund has agreed to lend Brazil an extra $30bn (£20bn), hoping that this will help pull the country and the region out of crisis. The deal represents the largest loan the IMF has ever provided in its history.
Central bank relaxes bank suspensions - Uruguay
URUGUAY - Uruguay's central bank has authorized suspended banks to partially resume operations, Uruguayan daily El Pais reported.
Theft from Nigerian central bank van denied
NIGERIA - A middle-aged man, Mustapha Abubakar, has appeared before an Upper Sharia Court, Sokoto for allegedly removing bank notes from a Central Bank of Nigeria armoured van. However, in his defence the man said in court he was inside the van only to…
ECB call for papers
PRESS RELEASE - Call for papers for a volume on Foreign reserves risk management to be submitted by 15 February 2003.
Norges Bank keeps interest rates unchanged
PRESS RELEASE - Interest rates were left unchanged at Norges Bank's Executive Board meeting on 7 August 2002.
Australia leaves rates steady
AUSTRALIA - Australia's central bank left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, amid global volatility on the financial markets and warning signs about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.
Norges Bank's press conference, 7 August
PRESS CONFERENCE - Monetary policy meeting of Norges Bank's Executive Board, 7 August.
Sveriges Riksbank Press Release
PRESS RELEASE - Stable Swedish financial sector according to the IMF, 7 August.
Defending the I.M.F.
NEWS BRIEF - A Letter to the Editor of The New Yorker By Graham Hacche, Deputy Director, External Relations Department, International Monetary Fund, 5 August.
Rogoff Critique Should be No Surprise
NEWS RELEASE - A Letter to the Editor, By Graham Hacche, Deputy Director, External Relations Department, International Monetary Fund, Submitted to The Times but not published, 9 July.
No interest rate change in Norway
NORWAY - Norway's central bank kept key interest rates on hold on Wednesday, as expected by analysts, with inflationary pressures in Norway's oil-backed economy offset by an international slowdown.
Russians stuff $80 billion under mattresses
RUSSIA - Russians have nearly $80 billion "stuffed under mattresses" - more cash than in US circulation - which is now trickling into stocks amid improved trust in corporate governance, Russia's securities watchdog chief said on Tuesday.
Knighthood for Fed's Greenspan
US - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will receive an honorary knighthood from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. The honour recognises his "contribution global economic stability," the UK government said in announcing the knighthood.
Nigerian c bank tighten licensing law of new banks
NIGERIA - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may have soft-pedalled on the licensing of new banks which was put on hold almost three months ago.
Egypt central bank reports fall in bank liquidity
EGYPT - The central bank has revealed a continued downturn in commercial banks' performance over the past period. Rates of capital efficiency and of net profits and incomes have gone down. Also, the banks' liquidity crunch has worsened due to a decline…
'Fingerprint' card system test in Malaysia
MALAYSIA - MasterCard International is testing an antifraud system meant to detect counterfeit payment cards by reading the properties and orientation of the microscopic particles in a magnetic stripe.
Trinidad: ex-central bank governor helps party
TRINIDAD - Port of Spain, Trinidad: Former Central Bank Governor Winston Dookeran says he is assisting the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) to prepare its manifesto for the next general elections, widely-expected by October.
Bank of England downgrades inflation forecast
UK - The Bank of England said today it was ready to cut interest rates, reversing its position three months ago when it expected to put up the cost of borrowing.
Brazil's interbank clearinghouse to bring benefits
BRAZIL - Brazil's new interbank payment clearinghouse is expected to stimulate online transactions between banks once it becomes operational, Brazilian financial daily Valor Economico reported.
Kuwait gov't reviews action on money-laundering
KUWAIT - The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State for Cabinet and National Assembly Affairs, Mohammed Deifallah Sharar said, in a Cabinet statement, that the council followed up on steps aimed at combating money-laundering and examined a report,…