News
ECB holds rates steady
The European Central Bank held its key interest rate steady at 3.75% on 17 May, in the light of strong growth prospects but hinted that inflation is becoming a concern.
Kuwait removes dinar's dollar peg
The central bank of Kuwait de-linked its currency, the dinar, from the depreciating dollar on 20 May and opted for an exchange rate mechanism tied to a basket of other currencies.
A new RTGS system for Iraq
The Iraqi central bank has reportedly started with the implementation of a new electronic real-time gross settlement payment system.
Thai fin min wants to keep control of BoT
Reuters quoted a senior official this week as saying the Thai Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn wants to keep the power to appoint or fire the Bank of Thailand governor.
Riksbank board divided on rate hold decision
The Swedish Riksbank's monetary policy meeting was divided in its recent decision to leave the rate unchanged, according to reports.
ECB head says UK should join eurozone
Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, questioned the UK's refusal to join the eurozone, in an interview in the Financial Times on 17 May.
Trichet supports hedge fund code of conduct
There is growing support around the world for a proposed voluntary code of conduct for hedge funds, European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet said recently.
Europeans react to Wolfowitz departure
Following the announcement that Paul Wolfowitz, the under-fire president of the World Bank, will step down on 30 June, European government officials are calling for the Bank to rebuild its credibility.
Fukui again says rates must rise
In further comments on Japan's interest rates, Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui said Thursday 17 May rates should increase gradually to support economic growth amid price stability.
Greenspan joins Pimco in first post-Fed role
Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan has signed on as a consultant to Newport Beach-based bond investment giant Pacific Investment Management, known as Pimco, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday 16 May.
Swaziland to introduce RTGS system
The Central Bank of Swaziland announced Wednesday 16 May that it will soon be introducing a Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system at the beginning of June 2007.
Zhou says room to raise reserve requirement
China still has room to raise the commercial banks' reserve requirement ratio, the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported Thursday 17 May, citing People's Bank of China governor Zhou Xiaochuan.
Noyer says Europe may experience sustained growth
European Central Bank governing council member Christian Noyer said on Wednesday 16 May that Europe could be experiencing a period of sustained, stable growth.
King hints that Greenspan's comments are unhelpful
Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, told a press conference on Wednesday 16 May that it isn't helpful for former central bankers to comment on aspects of monetary policy or economic conditions.
ECB's Noyer warns on 'benign conditions'
European Central Bank governing council member Christian Noyer said in a speech Wednesday 16 May that benign conditions in financial markets can be reversed.
BNB's Quaden says ECB will keep acting on prices
Belgian National Bank governor Guy Quaden said in an interview published Wednesday 16 May that the ECB will continue to act to lower inflationary expectations.
Hedge fund progress pleases Germany's Steinbrueck
German finance minister Peer Steinbrueck said in comments published Wednesday 16 May that he plans to lay out the basis of a voluntary self-regulation agreement with hedge funds operating in Europe within the next months.
Zeti says Islamic finance issue needs focus
There is a need for greater focus to arrive at a common vision on the future of the Islamic financial services industry, Bank Negara Malaysia's governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said in a speech Tuesday 15 May.
Wolfowitz to leave World Bank - reports
Unconfirmed late reports Wednesday 16 May said Paul Wolfowitz would leave the World Bank as president in a face-saving deal.
Bahrain and Egypt sign MoU
The central banks of Bahrain and Egypt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday 14 May, according to Gulf Daily News.
NRB chief stopped from boarding plane
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) governor Bijaya Nath Bhattarai, who is accused of misusing funds to suppress the pro-democracy movement last year, was barred from boarding a flight to Bangladesh on Monday 14 May, DailyIndia reported.
U.S. backs Wolfowitz at World Bank
The United States supported World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz to keep his job on Tuesday 15 May, saying that although he had made mistakes he should not be fired.
Bush to nominate Fed board members - reports
US president George W Bush will nominate Larry Klane and Elizabeth Duke to serve as Federal Reserve Board governors, according to Bloomberg which quoted two people familiar with the situation.
RBA appoints head of domestic markets
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced Monday 14 May that John Broadbent would be appointed as Head of Domestic Markets Department.