News
Swiss regulator orders audit for Israeli bank unit
SWITZERLAND - The Swiss Federal Banking Commission said Tuesday it has concluded its investigations related to the country's money laundering case against Peru's former spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos and has ordered a special audit of Bank Leumi Le…
EBRD: Russian banking reforms not enough
Russia has been slow in reforming its banking system and a key test will be how new enforcement powers given to the central bank are used, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said in a report on Tuesday.
China lifts banking barriers to entry
The People's Bank of China has announced a programme for the opening of China's banking sector following the country's accession to the WTO.
Three cheers for the euro?
The euro received three notes of approval today from the the People's Bank of China, the IMF and the OECD.
Thai central bank re-financing
The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to re-finance 90 billion baht ($2.02 billion) in debts of a central bank unit set up to bail out and take over troubled financial institutions.
Buba's Welteke sees no '01 recession in Germany
GERMANY - Germany's economy is not in a recession and will grow at a small rate "above zero" in 2001, Deutsche Bundesbank President Ernst Welteke told German daily Frankfurter Rundschau in an interview conducted 22 October, but published on Friday.
Tight regulations for bank payments in Azerbaijan
AZERBAIJAN - In 2002, the National Bank of Azerbaijan (NBA) intends to draw in tight regulations for banking payments, said Elman Rustamov, Head of the National Bank of Azerbaijan. He said it is planned to utilize radical measures.
Banks in the US tighten lending standards
US - Reflecting the shaky US economy, banks have been tightening lending standards even as demand for loans continues to drop, according to the Federal Reserve's latest survey of loan officers.
Hungary's nat bank launch euro info campaign
HUNGARY - The National Bank of Hungary will launch an information campaign on 15 November to help Hungarian individuals to smoothly change their cash holdings in the 12 outgoing European currencies, estimated to be worth some HUF 70bn,NBH vice president…
DUMA won't deprive Russia's c bank of independence
RUSSIA - During a meeting of the working group of the Duma for the bill on the Central Bank on 12 November, deputies failed to come to agreement as to which body, the National Banking Council (NBC) or the Board of Directors, would govern the Central bank.
ECB's Noyer - Governing council may need change
UK - European Central Bank Vice President Christian Noyer said Monday that the ECB governing council may need to be reformed when accession countries from southern and eastern Europe eventually adopt the single currency.
Grenville's successor at RBA?
Reserve Bank of Australia assistant governor Glenn Stevens is the leading candidate to succeed Stephen Grenville as deputy governor, according to sources close to the Reserve Bank central bank.
IMF demands investigation of Asian crisis loans
After two years and two investigations have failed to produce a single prosecution or return a single rupiah, the IMF has demanded a new investigation into alleged corruption, reports the Jakarta Post.
Central Bank of UAE asks for assets to be frozen
In a circular to the United Arab Emirates's 47 national and foreign banks, the Central Bank today requested that the assets of 30 institutions be immediately frozen.
Central bankers in Ottawa
ECB Council member Ernst Welteke, although saying that monetary policy was appropriate for the eurozone at present, warned of the dangers of money being too loose given the lag for effects to be realised.
November gloom in Japan
Despite leaving monetary policy on hold last week, the Bank of Japan downgraded its assessment of the economy on Monday, expressing concern about the impact of declining exports and output on incomes and consumer spending.
Brussels more confident of successful euro switch
EUROPE - With euro notes and coins less than 50 days away, the European Commission yesterday expressed optimism about a successful changeover from national currencies. The latest monthly Eurobarometer survey registered growing understanding of the single…
China's c bk chief expects to step up forex reform
CHINA - People's Bank of China Governor Dai Xianglong Monday said the country will begin to step up reform of its foreign exchange system after next month's entry into the World Trade Organization.
Germany may recover soon from economic shock
GERMANY - A German survey yesterday provided the first sign that the shock to economic confidence in the eurozone after the 11 September attacks in the US might be short-lived.
Niggles with new euro notes
NETHERLANDS - Dutch officials confirmed yesterday that 250,000 euros was snatched by a masked man from a bank in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam, shortly after a consignment was delivered on Monday. Five previous robberies in recent months, two in Italy and…
O'Neill: IMF forecast "off by a lot"
US - Responding to the drastically revised growth forecasts for the US in 2002 US Treasury secretary disagreed saying the forecast was "off by a lot".
$10bn loan for Turkey goes through
US - The IMF yesterday finalised a package of $10bn in new lending for Turkey. Arguing that it needs the loan to cover the fall off in tourist revenue and the effects of a flight to quality following September 11, Turkey had asked for $12bn.
Japan leaves rates unchanged
JAPAN - As expected, the Bank of Japan made no change to its monetary policy today, following its two-day meeting.
Bank of Poland under fire
POLAND - A Legislative tussle puts central bank's independence into question.