News
Rustamov explains Azerbaijani rate move
An increase in interest rates from 13% to 14% on 10 April will not have a direct impact on banks' rates, according Elman Rustamov, the chairman of the National Bank of Azerbaijan.
New Zealand softens stance
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand kept rates on hold for the eighth-straight month on Thursday but signalled it may cut in the second half of 2008.
PPI measure adds to SARB's woe
South African producer price inflation (PPI) soared by 2% in February, leaving the year-on-year measure at 11.8%, data published on Thursday showed.
Lehman creates new role to woo SWFs
Lehman Brothers, an investment bank, has appointed Makram Azar, formerly the head of its media, consumer and retail investment banking businesses in Europe and the Middle East, to the new position of global head of sovereign wealth funds.
Norway raises rates to 5.5%
The Bank of Norway raised rates for the first time this year on Thursday on fears that inflation was set to breach its 2.5% target.
Romanian rates high enough: governor
Mugur Isarescu, the governor of the National Bank of Romania, said on Wednesday that rates were high enough to tackle inflation.
SA inflation surpasses 10% mark
South African inflation surged to its highest level since December 2002 last month, heightening the need for the country's central bank to act against political opposition and raise rates further.
Banque de France posts record profit
The Banque de France's profit surged to a record high of €2.32 billion ($3.69 billion) last year.
Three-way split underlines Bank's dilemma
The Bank of England's April vote saw members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) backing three separate options for the first time since May 2006, minutes of the meeting published on Wednesday reveal.
Australian inflation hits seven-year high
Australian inflation soared to its highest level since June 2001, raising expectations that the country's Reserve Bank will be forced to hike rates again next month.
Trinidad's Williams: prepare for inflation wave
Trinidadian inflation is set to surpass the 10% mark in the coming months, Ewart Williams, the governor of the central bank, warned.
Canada cuts rates half a point
The Bank of Canada lowered rates to 3% on Tuesday, a move in line with market expectations.
Papua New Guinea issues new notes for anniversary
The Bank of Papua New Guinea has introduced two new polymer banknotes to commemorate 33 years of the Kina and Toea currencies.
Ukraine raises rate 200 basis points on price fear
The National Bank of Ukraine hiked its discount rate from 10% to 12% on Monday in a bid to temper inflation.
Greek outlook worsens on central bank revisions
The Bank of Greece has downgraded its growth forecast and heightened its inflation estimate for 2008.
ECB comments push euro to fresh high
The euro surpassed the $1.60 mark for the first time in its history after European Central Bank (ECB) officials said they would act to contain rising inflation.
BoE brokers MBS swap to ease tensions
The Bank of England will swap mortgage-backed securities for government bonds in a move which the Bank expects to generate £50 billion ($100 billion) worth of borrowing.
Europe set for slowdown: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the oft-repeated maxim that "if the US economy sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold" will hold as far as Europe is concerned.
Italy's likely finance minister knocks FSF plans
Giulio Tremonti, an Italian politician set to become the country's next economy minister, has claimed that the Financial Stability Forum's regulatory response to the subprime crisis is too lax.
RBA oultines changes for payment system
The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced a raft of recommendations for the country's payments systems industry aimed at enhancing competition.
Mexico holds rates at 7.5%
The Bank of Mexico kept its benchmark one-day interbank rate at 7.5% for the sixth-straight month despite expectations that the US slowdown would impact Mexican growth.
Fed's Kohn calls for tighter regulation
A relaxation in banking supervision has contributed to the current turmoil by altering the nature of risk, Donald Kohn, the vice-chairman of the Federal Reserve, said in a call to strengthen rules for investment banks.
Turkey holds rates, signals tightening
The Central Bank of Turkey held rates for the second-straight month on Thursday but indicated that it was more likely to raise, than reduce, borrowing costs in May.
Buba's Weber paves way for rate hike
Axel Weber, the president of the Bundesbank, has said that the European Central Bank (ECB) must "act with determination" if the recent rise in inflation begins to impact wage settlements.